CNN —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. Superstar Ohtani has not pitched since 2023 after undergoing elbow surgery. Most recently, he underwent a procedure to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder on November 5. Despite taking a break from pitching while recovering from elbow surgery, Ohtani helped the Dodgers to the best record in the majors before helping LA to its eighth World Series title with just his batting. As the first designated hitter to win MVP honors, Ohtani posted a .310 batting average, stole 59 bases and led the National League with a franchise-record 54 home runs and 130 RBIs.

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Persons: Shohei, “ It’s, Dave Roberts, Ohtani, Brandon Gomes, ” “, ” Gomes Organizations: CNN, Los Angeles Dodgers, Dodgers, National League Locations: Japan, Tokyo, LA