It's been one year since the Dodgers agreed to terms with Shohei Ohtani on a 10-year, $700-million deal, and the impact has been bigger than imagined.

DALLAS — The Los Angeles Dodgers expect Shohei Ohtani to be ready to hit when the reigning World Series champions open their season in Japan against the Chicago Cubs on March 18 and 19. “I don’t think he’d have it any other way,” manager Dave Roberts said of the NL MVP who had left shoulder surgery. “That’s our expectation.”

Shohei Ohtani should be ready to hit when the Los Angeles Dodgers open their season in Japan – but is “very unlikely” to be pitching by March.

Ohtani had left shoulder surgery last month, which interrupted his rehab from right elbow surgery long enough that the Dodgers won’t push him to be ready to pitch for the season-opening series in

As two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani works his way back from elbow surgery, the Dodgers are aware that he may not be 100% for the 2025 season. Instead, manager Dave Roberts said Monday, the team will be "nimble" with Ohtani's pitching workload.

The Dodgers' Opening Day series for the 2025 season will be played in Japan and gets underway on March 18, a two-game series against the Chicago Cubs at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo. While Roberts says Ohtani will likely not be ready to pitch, he’s confident that he’ll still be able to play in the games at DH.

Shohei Ohtani is expected to be ready to hit when the reigning World Series champions open their season in Japan against the Chicago Cubs in March but is doubtful to pitch

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts still expects Shohei Ohtani to be in their lineup as the designated hitter for 2025 opener in Japan.

The Los Angeles Dodgers expect two-way star Shohei Ohtani to be ready to hit when the 2025 season opens with two games in Tokyo but manager Dave Roberts said Monday it’s unlikely that he will pitch in those games.

Ohtani, who is recovering from multiple injuries, should be ready to hit, but won't be ready to pitch. That comes from Bob Nightengale of USA Today.