Ohtani, who signed a $700 million contract with the Dodgers in the 2023-24 offseason, didn't pitch in his first year with the club after having elbow surgery in September 2023. But he became the first player in baseball history to hit 50 home runs with 50 stolen bases, winning his third career MVP award.

At some point in the 2025 baseball season, Shohei Ohtani is expected to be a two-way player again. When that is, though, is still not clear. Ohtani spoke at DodgerFest in Los Angeles about the upcoming season and told reporters that he does not have an exact date yet, and it will all depend on how his bullpens go.