The Los Angeles Dodgers have yet to officially announce when two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani will return to the pitcher’s mound in 2025.

Ohtani underwent the second Tommy John surgery of his career in September 2023 while still with the Los Angeles Angels.

There seems to be no rush to get Ohtani back on the mound since the Dodgers’ rotation is filled with top-of-the-line arms, even with former Cy Young Award winners like Blake Snell and Clayton Kershaw on the injured list.

Even without Ohtani pitching, the Dodgers are the undeniable favorites to win the National League West division title and the NL pennant.

Ohtani has thrown several bullpens this spring, but not at maximum velocity.

According to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic, Ohtani threw a bullpen this past Saturday, delivering 26 pitches, primarily fastballs and splitters.

“The Dodgers are consulting with the doctors just to make sure that, since this is my second operation, it’s really important to be conservative and be thoughtful,” Ohtani told reporters about his pitching rehab process through interpreter Will Ireton, per The Athletic.

Over the weekend, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he does not believe Ohtani is ready to face live batters.

“We’re still not there yet,” Roberts told The Athletic when asked if Ohtani was ready to face hitters. Ohtani feels he is almost ready to face live batters, but he will wait until doctors clear him.

“I feel pretty good with where I’m at physically,” Ohtani told reporters, including The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya.

“There’s some limitations on how hard I’m supposed to throw or how many types of pitches I’m allowed to throw. So once I’m pretty cleared out in terms of being able to do all the above, I feel pretty good about being able to throw a live BP.”

While the baseball world waits for Ohtani’s return to the mound, the three-time Most Valuable Player continues to prove his worth at the plate.

He’s hit four home runs and owns an OPS+ of 207 through the Dodgers’ first 12 games of the 2025 MLB season.

Ohtani finished Monday’s 6-4 loss to the Washington Nationals 3-for-4 with a home run, two RBIs, and a double shy of a cycle.