Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani to DH in spring debut Friday

Coming off left shoulder surgery in November, Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani will serve as the designated hitter in his spring training debut Friday against his former team, the Los Angeles Angels.

Ohtani, 30, had surgery to repair a torn labrum in his shoulder and expects to be ready to DH when the reigning World Series champion Dodgers open the 2025 MLB season on March 18 against the Chicago Cubs in Tokyo.

Ohtani was injured stealing second base during the Dodgers' victory in Game 2 of the World Series. He came away with a labrum tear in his left shoulder but continued to play in the series against the New York Yankees.

A three-time MVP, Ohtani faced live pitching on Sunday for the first time this spring. As for pitching, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has already ruled Ohtani out for the season-opening series but told reporters he hopes to see the Japanese star return to the mound "sooner than later." He has thrown three bullpen sessions this spring as he works his way back to being a two-way player.

Unable to pitch in 2024 after undergoing Tommy John surgery the previous September, Ohtani was named National League MVP last season after batting .310 with a 1.036 OPS, 54 home runs and 130 RBIs. He also stole 59 bases to become the first 50-50 player in MLB history.

A former two-time American League MVP, Ohtani hit 44 home runs with 95 RBIs for the Los Angeles Angels in 2023, while also going 10-5 with a 3.14 ERA in 23 starts on the mound that season.

In seven seasons as a hitter, Ohtani has a .282 batting average with a .945 OPS, 225 home runs and 567 RBIs in 860 games. As a pitcher, he is 38-19 with a 3.01 ERA in 86 starts over five separate seasons. He has undergone two elbow surgeries since making his MLB debut in 2018.

--Field Level Media