Shohei Ohtani DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (elbow, shoulder) last threw a bullpen session in camp on Feb. 25. He continues to play catch, but manager Dave Roberts said on Thursday that the team is giving Ohtani "a little respite" from ramping up as a pitcher as he ramps up as a hitter for the start of the 2025 regular season this month. The 30-year-old right-hander won't face live hitters before the team leaves for the two-game season-opening series in Tokyo, Japan, on March 18 and 19 against the Chicago Cubs, and it's to be determined on how it will impact his timeline. Ohtani didn't pitch at all in 2024 while recovering from Tommy John surgery and then had surgery last fall on his left (non-throwing) shoulder. The Dodgers aren't rushing him at all to make his 2025 debut on the mound, which isn't expected to come until sometime in May. As a hitter, though, he should be the first player off the board in fantasy drafts.

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (elbow, shoulder) will make his Cactus League debut on Friday against his former team, the Los Angeles Angels, according to the Los Angeles Times' Jack Harris. Ohtani, who had surgery in November to fix the labrum in his left (non-throwing) shoulder, will serve as the designated hitter and will be ready to go as a hitter for the March 18 opener in Tokyo, Japan, against the Chicago Cubs. The 30-year-old three-time MVP didn't pitch at all in 2024 in his first year with the Dodgers after having Tommy John surgery, and he's unlikely to make his 2025 debut on the mound until early May. Ohtani's right elbow certainly didn't give him problems at the plate last year, as he clubbed over 50 homers and stole over 50 bases to make major-league history. As a DH, the Japanese sensation will be the first player off the board in most fantasy drafts.

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (elbow, shoulder) touched 95 mph during his 25-pitch bullpen session in camp on Saturday while also adding cutters. Roberts said that Ohtani adding cutters was "a big step." The 30-year-old Japanese right-hander didn't pitch at all in his first season with the Dodgers in 2024 while recovering from Tommy John surgery. Ohtani is also recovering from surgery on his left (non-throwing) shoulder and isn't expected to make his pitching debut in 2025 until early May. He will not pitch in any Cactus League games as a precaution in spring training. Ohtani wasn't slowed down at all by his elbow surgery last year as a hitter and won his third MVP award after hitting 50-plus home runs and stealing 50-plus bases. He'll eventually be a high-upside fantasy pitcher, but not before missing at least the first month of the season.