Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani 'Trending' Toward Playing on MLB Opening Day amid Injury Rehab

Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani believes he could be ready to go for Opening Day.

The 29-year-old took batting practice Monday for the first time since undergoing a second major right elbow surgery that cut his 2023 season short. Per MLB.com's Juan Toribio, Ohtani felt good during practice and feels he could be ready to play—as a hitter—on Opening Day.

"I was planning on, like I said earlier, to swing on the lighter side," Ohtani said. "But I felt like the swings were feeling really good, which is a really good sign. I think it's trending towards me being ready for Opening Day."

The Dodgers and San Diego Padres will open the season with a two-game series in Seoul, South Korea, on March 20 and 21. The two-way star is not expected to pitch in 2024 following the surgery.

According to Toribio, Ohtani took 21 swings on Monday, hitting 10 home runs.

In 135 games with the Los Angeles Angels last season, Ohtani hit a career-high .304, notching 151 hits, 44 home runs and 95 RBI. Now, the two-time AL MVP is looking for success with his new team, which he signed with in December for a record-setting 10-year, $700 million deal.

Along with his elbow surgery, Ohtani also suffered a left oblique injury that caused him to miss the final month of the season. According to Toribio, Ohtani feels good about that injury after taking batting practice on Monday.

"I was being a little careful," Ohtani said. "But overall I felt really good. All the swings I took inside the cage felt really strong. I think we're past the oblique injury."

The Dodgers are coming off a 100-62 season and a disappointing NLDS loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks. With Ohtani among the offseason additions, the Dodgers are looking to bounce back and have a big season.