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Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has watched Shohei Ohtani flash during 2025 spring training. But what's the pitching plan for Ohtani?

Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani needs to wait a little longer before he takes the mound. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters Thursday that Ohtani won’t face hitters before the team leaves for Japan. The Dodgers open the regular season against the Chicago Cubs in Tokyo on March 18.

Freddie Freeman, who is returning from offseason ankle surgery, will DH on Thursday against the Colorado Rockies. Catcher Will Smith, who has dealt with an ankle injury during training camp, will then join Ohtani in the lineup against the Angels, according to Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times.

But that dream will have to wait just a little bit longer.

The Los Angeles Dodgers had fans in their hooks, making them dream about Shohei Ohtani’s big return as a two-way superstar this season. The post MLB Insider Drops Critical Skepticism Over Shohei Ohtani’s Future Amid Dodgers’ Reluctance to Be Honest appeared first on EssentiallySports.

Since his debut in 2018, Shohei Ohtani has gone 38-19 with a 3.01 ERA and 608 strikeouts. In that time, only five starters (min. 400 IP) have a lower ERA, and only six have a higher strikeout rate.

MLB's all-time home run leader Barry Bonds minimizes Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani's accomplishments on the "All Smoke" podcast. Bonds claims baseball players have it easier today than he did in his career.