“Kind of slow-play it”: Dodgers’ manager Dave Roberts provides a major update on Shohei Ohtani ahead of Tokyo Series

Witnessing the Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani in action on the field is no less than a delight for an MLB fan. The talented Japanese athlete has been on and off on the field during the ongoing spring training session. Recently, the Dodgers’ manager Dave Roberts provided an important update on Shohei Ohtani’s stance with respect to not facing the hitters before the Tokyo Series, which is scheduled for March 15.
The Los Angeles Dodgers have gradually slowed down the pitching side of the Japanese designated hitter as he gears up for the regular MLB season. As reported by the prominent media outlet The Athletic, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ manager Dave Roberts stated that Ohtani’s progress has been tapered off due to his Tommy John surgery, which he underwent in 2023.
Reportedly, this move came after the management decided to reduce the workload of the Dodgers’ designated hitter. In an attempt to manage the pressure of Shohei Ohtani, Dave Roberts said,
"As the game has intensified, his work playing in games was sort of trying to give him a little respite from the rehab and to slow him down.”

He even mentioned slowing down Ohtani’s workload. Roberts said-
"We've never really put a time on anything... We just felt that to intensify the bullpens alongside the intensity of the games wasn't smart, so we just wanted to kind of slow-play it."
He further elaborated:
"I just feel, and we all feel, (that we’re) just trying to make it a broad time to return. We just don’t know. And so I think that when he’s ready, when the process, the progression, as it’s going on, we’ll know. But I don’t want to put any kind of expectation on you guys, or Shohei."
According to Dave Roberts, the Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani would not be facing the hitters before the MLB team’s season-opening face-off against the Chicago Cubs scheduled in Japan. With the struggles of his Tommy John injury as well as the surgery on his non-throwing shoulder during the off-season, the concern was at the center table.

During the spring season, Shohei Ohtani has been playing in the position of the designated hitter for the Dodgers and even made a home run with five hits in 12-at at-bats. He rose to fame within a very short span of time with the Los Angeles Dodgers and even earned the National League Most Valuable Player award.