Shohei Ohtani ready to rejoin Dodgers rotation, could pitch this week

Field Level Media
17 Mar 2026, 05:25 GMT+10

(Photo credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)

One spring training appearance is all the Los Angeles Dodgers have witnessed of Shohei Ohtani's ramp-up for the start of the regular season next week.

Ohtani had one hit in three at-bats in the only game he played with the Dodgers this spring before joining Japan for the World Baseball Classic. He was not available to pitch for Japan, which lost to Venezuela in the quarterfinals on Saturday to the surprise of Ohtani and the Dodgers.

Now, with Ohtani back in camp earlier than expected, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said there's a strong chance Ohtani will pitch in a game this week or early next week.

'Last year, we had the plan to start from one inning to keep him with us active and playing. I think this year, we're certainly north of that,' Roberts said. 'I don't see how we won't be able to get three or four innings from him in a Major League game. So that's certainly a better jumping-off point than last year. We'll see how it goes.'

Ohtani threw a four-inning simulated game last week in Miami with Japan. He's not starting from scratch, which is why the Dodgers are comfortable planning for him to begin the regular season as part of the starting rotation, Roberts said.

Ohtani made 14 regular-season and four playoff starts for the Dodgers in 2025. After amassing 62 strikeouts and a 2.87 ERA in 47 innings during the regular season, he posted a 2-1 record with a 4.43 ERA and 28 strikeouts over 20 1/3 postseason innings. He did not pitch for the Dodgers in 2024 after underdoing surgery to fix an injured ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow.

--Field Level Media

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to South America Times.

More Information

International

Section

Fee to give up US citizenship cut to $450 by State Department

WASHINGTON, D.C.: The fee for Americans to formally renounce their U.S. citizenship has now been slashed by about 80 percent from US$2,350...

Drone maker linked to Trump family seeks Pentagon deals

NEW YORK CITY, New York: A fast-growing drone manufacturer partly owned by President Donald Trump's two eldest sons is seeking Pentagon...

Oregon lawmakers acquire iconic waterfall put up for sale on Redfin

SALEM, Oregon: A spectacular waterfall in Oregon beloved by generations was recently put up for sale on Redfin. Abiqua Falls, known...

Shooter at Virginia’s Old Dominion University killed by students

NORFOLK, Virginia: The Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) students at Virginia's Old Dominion University on March 13 subdued and...

Polls say Americans think military action could make country less safe

WASHINGTON, D.C.: While opinion polls on the U.S. military action against Iran show Americans clearly divided along party lines, most...

12-year-old Georgia girl who collapsed following a scuffle dies

VILLA RICA, Georgia: A 12-year-old girl died days after being taken to a hospital following a fistfight at a bus stop in her Georgia...

Latin America

Section