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.
Roberts, though, said he 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 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 [getting] better and feels real good.”
The two-time American League 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.