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.”

Ohtani will take the mound at some point in 2025, but it’s uncertain as to when that may be.

The Dodgers will be cautious with Ohtani’s workload overall and have to figure out how to ramp him up.

Nevertheless, the Dodgers remain confident Ohtani will be in the lineup to start the season.

Ohtani underwent surgery shortly after the World Series to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder.

The star sustained the injury during Game 2 of the World Series in an attempt to steal second.

The Dodgers’ designated hitter set career-highs in home runs, hits, runs scored, runs batted in, doubles, and stolen bases.

Ohtani also invented the 50 home run, 50 stolen base club.

Ohtani was officially and unanimously named the National League Most Valuable Player for the 2024 season.

Ohtani became the first exclusive designated hitter to win the award and became the first player in MLB history to unanimously win three MVPs.

Although Ohtani had one of the greatest seasons in baseball history in his first year in a Dodgers uniform, fans are eager to witness the star make his two-way debut.

That likely won’t come until the regular season begins back in the States.