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Shohei Ohtani did not participate in live batting practice Sunday, and his Los Angeles Dodgers spring training debut is on hold.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Ohtani, who is coming back from elbow surgery, will not play in Thursday's opener against the San Diego Padres. The two-time MVP signed a record $700 million, 10-year contract as a free agent in December.
Dave Roberts decided not to risk Ohtani
Roberts, though, has been encouraged by Ohtani's progress physically. "He's a lot further along than I think any of us - maybe not named Shohei - would have expected," Roberts said on Saturday. "He's worked really hard, very diligent in his work, so he's ahead of schedule.
"What that means as far as when he's going to play in a Cactus League game, I don't know that answer. But it just seems like every single day, he keeps better and feels real good."
The two-time AL MVP won't pitch this season following right elbow surgery on Sept. 19 but hopes to be ready as a hitter by the March 20 opener against the Padres in Seoul, South Korea. He hit .304 with 44 home runs last year with the Los Angeles Angels.
This injury will prevent him from pitching until the 2025 season. Still, he is cleared to be a DH full-time, and he will be in the middle of a terrifying lineup alongside All-Star caliber teammates like Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Will Smith, and Max Muncy, to name a few.