For anyone who watched the World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees, it was clear that Dodgers' superstar Shohei Ohtani was playing through an injury.
In Game 2 of the Dodgers' victory over the Yankees, Ohtani injured his shoulder while sliding into second base during the seventh innings. Ohtani was removed from the game but didn't miss another game after that.
Given the offensive struggles Ohtani had during the World Series, the belief was the shoulder injury was more severe than what was being led on. The Dodgers provided that confirmation on Tuesday as they announced that Ohtani underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum.
Shohei Ohtani not expected to pitch against the Cubs to open the 2025 season.
Ohtani served exclusively as the Dodgers' designated hitter last season after undergoing elbow surgery last offseason. It was believed that Ohtani would be ready to return to the pitching mound at the start of the 2025 season, but now that is in question.
The 2025 season hasn't started and the Chicago Cubs have already caught a break. The Cubs will open the 2025 season against the Dodgers in Japan on March 18 and 19.
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Ohtani's injury robs Cubs fans and baseball fans, in general, of seeing the matchup between Ohtani as a pitcher and Seiya Suzuki. Suzuki has emerged as one of the cornerstones of the Cubs' offense and facing off against Ohtani in Japan would have been a terrific sight to see. Of course, we likely will still have the matchup between Ohtani as the Dodgers' designated hitter and the Cubs' starting pitcher, Shota Imanaga.
After their series against the Dodgers in Japan, the Cubs will have another week of Spring Training games before resuming their regular season schedule.