By Adeniyi Precious 
The Dodgers just got a key update on Shohei Ohtani’s return to pitching, and it’s looking good for their future plans. After undergoing his second major elbow surgery, Ohtani hasn’t thrown a pitch since August 2023. But, if all goes well, he’s expected to be back on the mound by May 2025. A new rule that kicked in after the 2023 season means he still counts as a two-way player, even though he’s been sidelined from pitching. This is huge for the Dodgers because it means he only takes up one roster spot and won’t count toward the 13-pitcher limit, giving them more flexibility.
The team’s already planning a six-man rotation to manage Ohtani and fellow Japanese star Yoshinobu Yamamoto. This will help keep their arms fresh and avoid injuries.
On the offensive side, Ohtani had a monster 2024 season, leading the league with 54 home runs, 130 RBIs, and 59 stolen bases, earning his third unanimous MVP award. His recovery from Tommy John surgery is going well, but he’s still dealing with some shoulder issues that affect his range of motion. Still, Ohtani’s optimistic, and the Dodgers aren’t rushing him. He won’t be pitching in spring training or rehab games, as they’re taking things slow.
Once he’s back in full two-way action, the Dodgers will manage his workload, potentially giving him days off from hitting or cutting back on his stolen base attempts. But with his bat already at an elite level, they’re expecting him to make an impact at the plate right away, while keeping an eye on his return to the mound.