GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Dodgers manager Dave Roberts says three-time MVP Shohei Ohtani will make his first spring training appearance of the year Friday night against his old team, the Angels.
Ohtani, 30, will be the designated hitter. Roberts has not given a timetable for Ohtani's return to the pitcher's mound other than to say he hopes it would be "sooner than later." Roberts has ruled Ohtani out for the March 18-19 season-opening series in Tokyo against the Chicago Cubs.
Ohtani injured his left shoulder sliding into second base during the World Series, when the Dodgers beat the New York Yankees in five games. He did not pitch last season, his first with the Dodgers, while recovering from surgery to repair a ligament in his throwing elbow.
Playing exclusively as a batter, he hit 54 home runs with 59 stolen bases -- the first person in the major league 50/50 club -- and won his third unanimous MVP award.
As a pitcher, Ohtani is 38-19 with a 3.01 ERA, including a 10-5 record and 3.14 ERA in 2023 before he was injured that August.