Dodgers' Freddie Freeman, Shohei Ohtani still in recovery mode

Still recovering from their championship run in October, the Los Angeles Dodgers will have a cautious approach when spring training games begin later this month.

First baseman Freddie Freeman said he will not be able to participate in the field for early Cactus League games after undergoing offseason ankle surgery. Shohei Ohtani continues to recover from shoulder surgery, with a less specific timetable on when he will appear in games.

Both Dodgers stars are in line to play in the season opening games March 18-19 at Tokyo against the Chicago Cubs.

"So (Thursday), eight weeks since my surgery, I hit for the first time," Freeman said. "I have not started running yet; haven't been cleared to do that, but on Monday I start flips (in the batting cage) and I think about by the end of the week we'll start doing side-to-side movement."

Freeman injured his ankle toward the end of the regular season and was in and out of the lineup until hitting home runs in the first four games of the World Series, including a game-winning grand slam in Game 1. His surgery in early December included the removal of loose cartilage and shaving down bone spurs.

Ohtani injured his left shoulder on a stolen-base attempt late in Game 2 of the World Series against the New York Yankees. He remained in the lineup before having surgery for a torn labrum after the title was secured.

"As of now, it seems like I am on schedule," Ohtani said through interpreter Will Ireton. "I have been able to work out every day and I'm really looking forward to being on time for spring training and the season."

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Ohtani's recovery from his left shoulder injury has not slowed the final stages of his recovery from right elbow surgery that prevented him from pitching last season.

Roberts had estimated midway through the offseason that Ohtani might take the mound for the first time in May.

"It might be earlier," Roberts said. "I think the first thing I said earlier this offseason was that it wasn't going to be in the Japan series. He's not going to be pitching there, but once he gets to spring training and we see where the program is, we'll just go from there."

Dodgers pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to spring training at Glendale, Ariz., on Feb. 11, while the first full-squad workout is scheduled for Feb. 15.

--Field Level Media