Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said it is “very unlikely” Shohei Ohtani will pitch in the Tokyo series against the Chicago Cubs to open the season. However, Ohtani is expected to be in the lineup as a designated hitter.
“I don’t think the left shoulder is gonna have much of an impact on Shohei’s pitching,” Roberts said at the Winter Meetings in Dallas this week. “I think his right elbow is the biggest factor. I just think the question is when he starts pitching in major league games and how we ramp him up prior to it.