PHOENIX — Even with a surgically-repaired shoulder and amid a second rehab from a major elbow ligament reconstruction, Shohei Ohtani looks just fine.
It took just one at-bat this spring for the Los Angeles Dodgers superstar and reigning National League MVP to show he’s doing just fine, working a full count against Angels left-hander Yusei Kikuchi before launching a no-doubter the other way for a home run, flinging his bat into the air before rounding the bases.
The Dodgers have slow-played Ohtani offensively after he underwent November surgery to repair the left (non-throwing) labrum in his left shoulder, which he injured during Game 2 of last year’s World Series, but have remained optimistic the issue wouldn’t impact him at the plate. Ohtani said the recovery from shoulder surgery was more complicated than previous surgeries he’s come back from with his right elbow, noting earlier this spring he was still trying to regain his range of motion.
He’s worked with the Dodgers’ staff on some swing adjustments this spring, looking to dial back into the form he showed in his first season with Los Angeles when he became the first player ever to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a season.
If his first taste of game action Friday is any indication, things are going well.
Shohei Ohtani homers in his first at-bat of spring. Carry on. pic.twitter.com/OAta5xQGpw
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) March 1, 2025
“I think he can be as productive (as last year),” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Friday afternoon. “I don’t think he’s going to get the same number of at-bats, plate appearances, given that he’s going to be pitching. I don’t think he’s going to steal as many bases, just appreciating the fact that he does need to pitch and saving his legs. But as far as kind of performance per plate appearance, I still think he can be just as productive. And I’m sure Shohei is expecting the same thing.”
Ohtani had taken live at-bats on back fields twice this week, his first time seeing live pitching in the months since surgery. Both he and the Dodgers have been steadfast that Ohtani will lead off as the team’s designated hitter when they open the season on March 18 against the Chicago Cubs in Tokyo.
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(Photo: Jeremy Chen / Getty Images)
