Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani Makes Big Announcement Regarding Pitching

Gabe Smallson | Feb 1, 2025

Oct 25, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) warms up before game one against the New York Yankees in the 2024 MLB World Series at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images / Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Dodgers have had an enormous offseason and are showing no signs of slowing down.

At Saturday's Dodgerfest 2025 at Dodger Stadium, Ohtani provided an update on when he will return to the mound, following his National League MVP performance in 2024 solely as a designated hitter.

"Hard to pinpoint when. Generally looking at a couple of weeks to a month of leeway," Ohtani told Dodgers Nation's Doug McKain. "It will depend on how my first bullpen session will go."

Shohei Ohtani on when he'll be ready to pitch this season:

"Hard to pinpoint when. Generally looking at a couple of weeks to a month of leeway. It will depend on how my first bullpen session will go." pic.twitter.com/YK2JvKOhLu

— Doug McKain (@DMAC_LA) February 1, 2025

This seems to be on par with what manager Dave Roberts initially said about the MVP last month.

More news: ESPN Insider Believes Kiké Hernandez's Time With Dodgers is Over

In this interview between Dave Roberts and Hideki Kuriyama from Hochi News, the Dodgers manager reveals he doesn't plan on letting Shohei Ohtani pitch until May this coming season.

"I'll persuade him with the help of doctors and trainers." https://t.co/w2wcePghcw pic.twitter.com/vmcxE5tfgw

— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) January 5, 2025

Despite the Dodgers' caution with the superstar, Ohtani said at Dodgerfest 2025 he is still feeling good and working out almost seven days a week.

"I've felt pretty good about the offseason; I've been throwing, I actually started swinging the bat with pretty good intensity," Ohtani said. "Like, actually, just before coming to this stage, I was working out, and I was able to work out actually five, six times a week."

Shohei has been getting his offseason reps in! 💪 pic.twitter.com/dI6me69scs

— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) February 1, 2025

Ohtani was more than dominant in 2024, not just taking home MVP honors for the NL, but becoming the first-ever player with more than 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases.

He finished 2024 with career-highs in WAR (9.2), runs (134), home runs (54), RBIs (130), batting average (.310) and stolen bases (59). He also made himself available for the most games in his MLB career so far with 159.

More news: Gavin Lux Breaks Silence on Trade, Sends Message to Dodgers Organization