Shohei Ohtani will miss the Los Angeles Dodgers’ first spring training game on Thursday as he recovers from elbow surgery, manager Dave Roberts said.
Roberts did not say when, or if, the slugger will appear in a spring training game.
The two-time MVP signed a $700 million contract with the Dodgers as a free agent this offseason. He took live batting practice for the first time on Monday. Ohtani homered in one of his at bats.
“I know he wants to ramp things up and simulate as much as he can,” Roberts said Saturday. “Today’s a big step, just getting him on the field with the pitcher.”
Ohtani suffered a torn UCL in his throwing elbow near the end of the 2023 season. He will not pitch in 2024, but he will not have any restrictions as a batter once he recovers from surgery. The 29-year-old could return to the mound in 2025.
“He’s a lot further along than any of us not named Shohei would’ve expected,” Roberts said. “He’s worked really hard and he’s been very diligent in his work. He’s ahead of schedule … Every day he keeps getting better.”
The Dodgers open the season March 20 in Seoul, South Korea. They will take on the San Diego Padres in a two-game series.
• Liam Griffin can be reached at lgriffin@washingtontimes.com.
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