The Los Angeles Dodgers, starting the season with a 4-0 record, have achieved the best opening since the Detroit Tigers in 1985. This impressive performance comes despite the absence of Shohei Ohtani on the mound, who is recuperating from elbow surgery. As a hitter, Ohtani has been productive, with a .375 batting average, two home runs, and a double in his first four games. He recently resumed bullpen sessions, working towards a return to pitching.

The team is proceeding cautiously with Ohtani's rehabilitation, emphasizing the need to avoid setbacks that could affect his hitting capabilities. With a substantial long-term investment in Ohtani, the Dodgers are prioritizing his overall health and future contributions as both a pitcher and hitter. The current rotation depth highlights the challenges the Dodgers face, with various other pitchers also recovering from injuries.

Shohei Ohtani's projected return as a two-way player for the Los Angeles Dodgers is being approached with caution following his previous Tommy John surgery. Despite his immense talent, the Dodgers are prioritizing his batting as he continues to recover from a torn labrum and a revised Tommy John procedure, which could delay his return to the mound. Ohtani has made significant progress in his hitting but has scaled back pitching workouts to minimize injury risk.

The Dodgers have a solid pitching rotation, allowing them to take a conservative approach with Ohtani. Manager Dave Roberts indicates there's no urgent timeline for Ohtani's pitching comeback. Instead, the focus is on ensuring he remains healthy throughout the season, especially with postseason ambitions in mind. Ohtani’s return as a pitcher is projected to be gradual, with hopes of him contributing in crucial moments later in the season.

The 2025 MLB season kicked off spectacularly in Tokyo, featuring Shohei Ohtani's celebrated return to Japan. The Tokyo Dome was filled to capacity for a series of exciting games, including two exhibitions against Japanese teams and two regular-season games. Ohtani's performance was exceptional, highlighted by a solo home run that helped the Dodgers secure a decisive sweep against the Cubs, further solidifying his status as one of baseball's biggest stars. The series not only brought attention to the sport’s international appeal but also marked the historic first all-Japanese starting pitching duel on opening day, showcasing the talent of pitchers Shota Imanaga and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Ohtani's impact on the games was palpable, and his ability to thrive under pressure raised questions about the sustainability of his dual-threat role following two recent surgeries.

Japanese baseball fans witnessed a thrilling moment at the Tokyo Dome as Shohei Ohtani launched what was initially ruled a home run in a matchup against the Chicago Cubs. However, controversy erupted when a fan appeared to interfere with the ball's trajectory before it could land, leading many to argue it should have been declared a ground-rule double instead. The umpires reviewed the play but ultimately upheld the home run call, sparking debate among analysts and fans alike about the implications of fan interference in such key moments.