Shohei Ohtani Won't Play in Dodgers' Spring Training Opener Amid Elbow Injury Rehab

Shohei Ohtani will not play Thursday in the Los Angeles Dodgers' spring training opener against the San Diego Padres, according to manager Dave Roberts.

Roberts told reporters, via Larry Lage of the Associated Press, that although Ohtani's rehab remains "ahead of schedule," he doesn't have an answer as to when the former Los Angeles Angels star will be able to make his Dodgers debut.

Ohtani was set to face live pitching Friday for the first time since undergoing surgery on his right elbow in September but did not participate in the practice, per Juan Toribio of MLB.com.

Although Ohtani will not be pitching until at least 2025, the Dodgers are hoping he will be ready to play as designated hitter on March 20 for Opening Day in Seoul, South Korea.

Ohtani was also on the Dodgers' schedule for live batting practice Sunday, but again did not participate, according to the Los Angeles Times' Jack Harris. Roberts said Ohtani was listed "just to give him the opportunity if he wants to," per Harris.

The former Dodgers star did return to batting practice this week. Ohtani took 21 swings and hit home runs on 10 of them Wednesday as he took batting practice outside for the first time since his surgery, per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic.

Out of 76 total swings taken through three sessions between Wednesday and Friday, Ohtani hit 33 home runs, Toribio reported.

Roberts said that it was important Ohtani face live at-bats before making his regular-season debut, but stressed that those could happen at practice as well.

"Obviously, game at-bats are important," Roberts said Friday, per Toribio. "But if we can get at-bats on a backfield, we can do that, too. Certainly everyone wants to see him on a baseball field and playing. I get that. But the main thing is to get him ready for Opening Day. And I think we've got plenty of time to do that."

Although Roberts said Ohtani wouldn't be available Thursday, he added that the Dodgers' newest star could appear in a game "shortly thereafter," per Harris.

Ohtani will have plenty more opportunities to take swings in the Cactus League. After opening the spring season Thursday against the Padres, the Dodgers have 20 games remaining before they head to South Korea.