Dodgers star starts shoulder recovery, eyes Opening Day return.

Dodgers star starts shoulder recovery, eyes Opening Day return.

Shohei Ohtani is in the early stages of recovery from labrum surgery on his left shoulder after the Dodgers World Series win. “We’ve removed the stitches,” Ohtani said after securing his third MVP. “The goal is to regain my range of motion, and we’re starting with core work, gradually ramping up.”

 

 

 

 

 

Ohtani underwent shoulder surgery on November 5, just days after celebrating the Dodgers’ World Series victory. “We’ve been focused on rehab every day, and I’ve just been relaxing in bed,” he said through a translator. “We haven’t had time to celebrate as a family.” Ohtani, who missed pitching this season due to elbow surgery in September 2023, injured his shoulder while attempting to steal second in Game 2 of the World Series.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ohtani’s goal is to be ready for Opening Day, both as a hitter and pitcher, but he’s taking his time. “I want to make sure I’m healthy first,” he said. “We’re being cautious and not rushing anything.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

His most nerve-wracking moment in his first season with the Dodgers, however, wasn’t on the field but involved his dog, Decoy. “The most nervous I was, was when Decoy threw out the first pitch,” Ohtani shared.

Decoy, like his owner, delivered, walking from the mound with the ball in his mouth to Ohtani behind the plate. Later, Ohtani homered during the game against Baltimore on his second bobblehead night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ohtani, sitting beside his wife Mamiko Tanaka on Thursday, reflected on winning his third MVP award, calling it “very humbling.” The 30-year-old DH earned all 30 first-place votes from the Baseball Writers’ Association, making him the first player to win the MVP unanimously three times, with two of those wins coming with the Los Angeles Angels.