Shohei Ohtani's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (elbow) is planning to take live batting practice at spring training on Monday. Ohtani was initially scheduled to take live BP on Sunday, but Ohtani pushed it back a day. It will be the first time that the 29-year-old Japanese superstar will face live pitching since having his second Tommy John surgery in September. Ohtani is expected to be ready to kick off his first season in LA against the San Diego Padres in the two-game Korean series in late March. Even though he won't be available to fantasy managers as a pitcher in 2024, Ohtani, who has been the American League MVP in two of the last three seasons, will be a top-15 hitter in fantasy after leading the league in homers (44), on-base percentage (.412), slugging percentage (.654), OPS (1.066) and total bases (325) in 2023 with the Angels.

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (elbow), who was scheduled to face live pitching for the first time since his offseason elbow surgery, will not take batting practice on Sunday. This was obviously an anticipated batting practice session, considering the star power of Ohtani, but manager Dave Roberts told reporters that the schedule change has nothing to do with the superstar's health. Roberts added that he wants Ohtani to chart his own schedule. It shouldn't be a surprise if Ohtani started taking swings against live pitching as early as Monday. The fact that the two-way star won't be pitching this season certainly puts a damper on his overall fantasy prospects, but he should still be able to return high-end value as offensive player hitting in the middle of a loaded Dodgers lineup.

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (elbow) is on the scheduled to face live pitching against left-hander Alex Vesia at spring training on Friday. Manager Dave Roberts said on Thursday that Ohtani would start facing live pitching at camp "soon," and he wasn't lying. It's another encouraging sign that Ohtani will be ready for Opening Day in his first year in LA after undergoing his second Tommy John surgery last year. The Japanese superstar isn't going to pitch for the Dodgers in 2024, but he'll be their full-time DH and is considered a top-15 overall fantasy player by RotoBaller. There's a chance Ohtani might not fully be himself at the plate early on this year, but that really shouldn't influence drafters when deciding whether to add him to your team in the early rounds.

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts didn't give an exact timeline, but he said that designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (elbow) will take part in live batting practice "soon." The skipper also added that it is going to be hard to eventually keep Ohtani out of Cactus League games. The 29-year-old two-way superstar isn't going to pitch in his first year with the Dodgers following his second Tommy John surgery, but he's coming along nicely as a hitter, has already been hitting on the field and should be completely ready to go as the team's regular DH once the 2024 regular season kicks off. Even though Ohtani might not be at full strength as a hitter early on, RotoBaller still has him ranked as the No. 13 overall player this spring.

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (elbow), who has been rehabbing from elbow surgery, said he's "very confident" that he'll be ready to serve as the team's DH when they open their season in South Korea on March 20 against the division-rival San Diego Padres. On Saturday, manager Dave Roberts said outfielder Mookie Betts will lead off, first baseman Freddie Freeman will hit second, and Ohtani would hit third to open the 2024 season. Ohtani, LA's $700 million free-agent pickup this winter, has been taking flips and hitting off a tee and is expected to hit on the field on Monday for the first time since undergoing surgery last year. The 29-year-old lefty slugger will start hitting off velocity shortly after he reports to sprint training next week. Ohtani's throwing program is mostly undetermined, but he said he's "right on schedule" with his hitting progression.