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Shohei Ohtani won the 2024 National League MVP along with the World Series with the Los Angeles Dodgers even though he was unavailable to pitch.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that the two-way star is certain to be in the lineup for the season opener in the 2025 Tokyo Series but is unlikely to take the mound in his native country. Roberts said that the decision was made in the best interest of Ohtani so that he can be healthy and available late on and in the playoffs.
The Los Angeles Dodgers and the Chicago Cubs kick off the 2025 MLB season in Japan next year. The two major league teams will play a couple of exhibition games against Nippon Professional Baseball outfits, Hanshin Tigers and the Yomiuri Giants, on March 15 and 16, respectively. The Dodgers and the Cubs then begin their regular season with a couple of games on March 18 and 19.
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About Shohei Ohtani's chances of pitching in the 2025 Tokyo Series, Dave Roberts said in a press conference on Monday after arriving for the Winter Meetings in Dallas, Texas:
"Very unlikely. I just don't see us starting the clock in March, to then think that we would keep that continuously going through October. Then that would call for a break or reprieve in the middle of the season. So, I don't know. But I still think it's unlikely.
"I expect Shohei to be ready to hit in Japan," he added. "I don't think he'd have it any other way. That's our expectation. But it's not cemented. If there's something that doesn't feel right, doesn't look right, then obviously we've got to pivot. There'd be a lot of disappointed fans, but we're going to do what's best for Shohei. But as I sit here right now, I expect him to play.
Shohei Ohtani was recuperating from an elbow reconstruction surgery, which he underwent in 2023, keeping him away from taking the mound this year. The 30-year-old also needed shoulder surgery at the end of the 2024 campaign after getting injured during the World Series win against the New York Yankees.
Shohei Ohtani enjoyed an outstanding first season with the Dodgers
Without having any pitching duties in 2024, Shohei Ohtani focused solely on his offensive production in his debut season with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He had an outstanding regular season, becoming the first player in MLB history to hit 50 home runs and steal as many bases in the same season.
The Dodgers picked up the NL West division title before beating the New York Mets to take the pennant, while the Japanese superstar won his first team honors in the MLB in his maiden postseason appearance.
They then beat the New York Yankees 4-1 to win the World Series, where Ohtani was later named the NL MVP, becoming the first player to win the award playing as a DH.
