Shohei Ohtani is set to make his spring training debut in a matchup against the Angels.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has announced that three-time MVP Shohei Ohtani will make his initial appearance in spring training this Friday night against his former team, the Angels. Ohtani, who is 30 years old, will serve as the designated hitter for this game. While Roberts has not provided a specific timeline for Ohtani's return to pitching, he expressed hope that it would occur "sooner than later." However, Ohtani has been ruled out for the season-opening series in Tokyo against the Chicago Cubs, scheduled for March 18-19. Ohtani sustained a left shoulder injury while sliding into second base during the World Series, in which the Dodgers triumphed over the New York Yankees in five games. Last season, his first with the Dodgers, he did not pitch as he was recovering from surgery to repair a ligament in his throwing elbow. As a hitter, he achieved remarkable success, hitting 54 home runs and stealing 59 bases, thus becoming the first player in Major League history to join the 50/50 club, and he secured his third unanimous MVP award. In his pitching career, Ohtani holds a record of 38 wins and 19 losses with a 3.01 ERA, including a 10-5 record and a 3.14 ERA in 2023 prior to his injury in August.