Shohei Ohtani faces uncertainty over his role as Dodgers’ World Series defense begins

Unlike most of Major League Baseball, the Los Angeles Dodgers‘ 2025 season has already begun. The Dodgers‘ two-game sweep of the Chicago Cubs at the Tokyo Dome last week served as the first two games of Los Angeles‘ World Series title defense — and slugger Shohei Ohtani, the reigning National League MVP, did his part to ensure that the Dodgers returned to the United States with a 2-0 record.

But Ohtani‘s bat and baserunning ability are only part of the overall attraction. He excelled as a pitcher with the Los Angeles Angels, and the Dodgers have fully intended to use the Japanese superstar on the mound themselves. Ohtani recently resumed a throwing program that should see him pitch in 2025…but when?

Dodgers are taking it slow with Shohei

Initial reports said that based on his throwing program, Ohtani could be in line to return to the mound sometime in May. But during a recent appearance on MLB Network, Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes poured cold water on that idea by saying, in essence, that the defending World Series champions are taking a long-term view with respect to Ohtani pitching again following his elbow surgery.

“This process is unique in building up pitching while also acclimating to games coming off the shoulder surgery that he had in the offseason, so we are balancing a long of different things here,” Gomes explained. “(We are) making sure that when he does come, we feel good about him running deep into the postseason.”

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts echoed this sentiment earlier this week, specifically using the phrase “long-term play” in relation to Ohtani’s return to the bump. After all, Ohtani is the Dodgers’ biggest and most marketable asset; taking care of his health and well-being so he can continue to perform at the plate (at least) is the franchise’s top priority.

“This is a long-term play for Shohei‘s well-being also,” Roberts said. “So making sure that we’re as cautious and careful as we possibly can. And, yeah, for 2025, the most important piece of this is having him be able to do both through the end of the season, through October.”