The Los Angeles Dodgers are not counting on Shohei Ohtani to start the next season on the mound.
The club prefers to err on the side of caution and see how his fitness progresses following surgery on his left shoulder this week.
Ohtani underwent surgery Tuesday to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder, an injury suffered when he slipped during a stolen base attempt in Game 2 of the World Series. The Japanese star has not pitched this year while recovering from elbow surgery on September 19, 2023.
“We’re going to take it step by step and get through it, and then take it in one or two week increments and make sure we’re in a really good position on each of those criteria,” general manager Brandon Gomes said Wednesday. We will let the rehabilitation process unfold. »
After signing a record $700 million, 10-year contract, Ohtani, 30, hit .310 with 54 home runs, 130 RBIs and 59 stolen bases, becoming the first player in franchise history Baseball with at least 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a season.
Gomes said left-hander Clayton Kershaw had surgery Wednesday, but he couldn’t provide details because the three-time Cy Young Award winner is a free agent. Kershaw turned down a $10 million option Monday that would have allowed him to earn a total of $15 million in performance bonuses. The general manager said the gunner’s file was a priority for him.
He also said Mookie Betts would likely return to the infield next year, having started last season at shortstop, and that the champs would like to re-sign manager Dave Roberts, whose the current contract will end next season.
Ohtani was operated on by the team’s head physician, Dr. Neal ElAttrache.
“The rehabilitation stages involve different exercises of lower intensity and can simply consist of movement,” explained Gomes. Our performance coaches and doctors are all in tune with this and we will be with him every step of the way. »
Ohtani stopped his throwing program.
“He probably would have stopped pitching anyway in the offseason, but he has to get over it and then start it again,” Gomes added.
Elsewhere, Los Angeles expects right-handers Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tony Gonsolin, Dustin May and Tyler Glasnow to be ready for the opener. Yamamoto was sidelined with right triceps strain between June 15 and September 10, Glasnow did not pitch after August 11 due to right elbow tendinitis, Gonsolin spent all 2024 to recover from Tommy John surgery and May did not pitch this year due to an elbow injury.
