Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he's not planning to have Shohei Ohtani pitch against the Chicago Cubs in the team's 2025 MLB season-opening series on March 18-19 at Tokyo Dome.
That said, the two-time World Series-winning manager expects the 2024 National League MVP to make a profound impact as a two-way player next year. Roberts also outlined his expectations for Ohtani in his upcoming second season in a Dodgers uniform.
As well as answering numerous questions about Ohtani, Roberts also spoke about starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto during a wide-ranging news conference on Wednesday, December 4 in Tokyo.
"I think the most important factor in managing Shohei next year is going to be his health," Roberts told the news conference. "And so he will be pitching next year as well as hitting. I think it's just going to be the honest conversations about how he's feeling because I don't expect him to have as many plate appearances (731) as he did this year because he's going to be a pitcher as well."
It all boils down to this, according to Roberts: "How can we manage his workload to keep him healthy and strong throughout the entire season?"
For Roberts, the 2025 season will be his first managing a two-way player.
"This is something that he's done before," Roberts said of Ohtani. "So I'm going to have to lean on him and the training staff to make decisions as far as the lineup."
Roberts gave reporters a quick update on Ohtai's offseason recovery from surgery on his left shoulder, which he injured in the World Series, saying the Dodgers superstar told him this week that "his rehab is going well."
Dodgers Skipper Explains Why Ohtani Won't Pitch in Tokyo
Toward the end of the press conference, which lasted about 45 minutes, Roberts was asked if Ohtani may pitch in the season-opening series against the Cubs. The veteran manager reiterated his viewpoint that "I don't think that's going to happen."
He continued: "I expect him to be in the lineup as a hitter, but as far as the pitching, because he hasn't pitched in over a year, we have to manage how many innings he has for 2025. And if we start in March, he won't be able to sustain that through October. We have to figure out when to begin Shohei pitching in games. I just don't see that in March."
Insights on Managing Dodgers Stars Ohtani and Yamamoto
In 2024, Roberts had a close-up view while watching Ohtani smack 54 home runs and steal 59 bases. The pride of Iwate Prefecture became the first player in MLB history to have 50 or more in both categories in the same season.
Roberts also saw Yamamoto make strong contributions (7-2, 3.00 ERA in 18 starts) in the injury-shortened first year of his blockbuster 12-year contract with the Dodgers. For Yamamoto, it included his Game 2 victory ― 6⅓ innings, allowing one hit and one run ― in the World Series against the New York Yankees.
"First off, managing Shohei this year as a hitter and Yoshinobu this year as a pitcher are different," Roberts commented. "They were both very easy to manage, they're both very self-motivated.
"I think with Yoshinobu we built a trust early, because the relationship between a starting pitcher and the manager is very important," added Roberts. "And just trying to manage his innings, his pitches, is always difficult if you don't have the trust."
How does Roberts assess the pitcher-manager relationship in Year 1?
"Yoshi and I, I thought we did a great job together," the manager remarked.
A Promising Future with the Dodgers
What should the Dodgers expect from Yamamoto in 2025 and beyond?
Roberts is optimistic that Yamamoto's overall quality in his MLB debut season laid the foundation for future success.
In his role as the dugout boss, Roberts emphasized that it's important for him to continue "challenging him to be better each year. That's how I feel we can continue to make him a better pitcher."
Roberts Says Ohtani Can Improve as a Hitter
Ohtani nearly won the National League Triple Crown this past season. In addition to his NL-best 54 homers, he led the league in RBIs (130) and finished second in batting average (.310), trailing only San Diego Padres first baseman Luis Arraez, who hit .314.
By all accounts, it was a remarkable season. And Roberts believes Ohtani can make some adjustments to become an even more dangerous batter.
"I think with Shohei there were some parts of the season where he was a little too aggressive swinging," Roberts told the news conference. "And I think there's still room in there for him to be a little more disciplined at the plate, where I think we can make him even potentially even better."
An Appreciation for Japan's Dodgers Fans
At various times throughout the news conference, Roberts expressed thanks to baseball fans in Japan for their support of the Dodgers.
"I know it's good to hear during the baseball season your day here starts with the Dodgers in the morning," Roberts said with a smile.
He added, "I think baseball is the greatest game ever invented and it's just such an honor to have Japanese players come over to the [United] States, Japanese fans come over to the States and the Japanese media has been amazing."
Roberts pointed out that visual reminders of Japan's love of baseball are a big part of the culture here.
Making his first trip to Japan in 20 years, Roberts stated, "This morning, texting with our general manager [Brandon Gomes] about how excited I was [about coming] back here in March [2025]. You can see how much people in Japan and Tokyo love baseball. They love the Dodgers. This is going to be the biggest sports event in quite some time here, and so I'm thrilled."
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Soccer
Fagiano Okayama Earn Promotion to J1 for the First Time
Rui Sueyoshi and Haruka Motoyama scored in Fagiano Okayama's 2-0 home triumph over Vegalta Sendai in the J.League second-division promotion playoffs final on Saturday, December 7.
As a result, Okayama secured promotion to J1 for the first time.
"I'm overwhelmed [and] I'm beyond happy," Fagiano manager Takashi Kiyama said at City Light Stadium, according to Kyodo News. "This is the best feeling ever. I could see the players starting the game without any fear."
He added, "This promotion is thanks to an accumulation of history by those who worked hard for this club."
Shimizu S-Pulse and Yokohama FC, who placed first and second in the regular-season standings, also clinched promotion to the top flight.
Hatate Sparks Red-Hot Celtic FC
Celtic FC has won 13 of 14 matches to open the 2024-25 Scottish Premiership season, and the powerhouse squad collected its latest league victory with Reo Hatate leading the way.
The Japanese midfielder notched a 78th-minute goal on a well-executed half-volley to lift Celtic to a 1-0 away triumph over Aberdeen on Wednesday, December 4 at Pittodrie Stadium. It was Hatate's fourth goal of the season.
"I'm happy to score the goal," Hatate said, according to the team's official website. "It was a difficult game because of the bad weather, and it was an away game, so it was an important win for us."
BBC.com summed up Hatate's match-deciding play in an apt headline: "A great touch and finish from Hatate."
With the victory, Celtic increased its league-best total to 40 points. Aberdeen is second with 33.
Basketball
EASL Update: Golden Kings Remain Unbeaten
The Ryukyu Golden Kings defeated South Korean squad Busan KCC Egis 91-82 in an East Asia Super League Group B match on Wednesday, December 4 at Okinawa Arena.
With the win, the Golden Kings improved to 3-0 in the tournament's group stage.
Jack Cooley paced Ryukyu with 29 points and 18 rebounds, including 10 offensive boards. Keve Aluma poured in 26 points and snared 10 rebounds. Alex Kirk added 12 points and 10 rebounds, while teammate Ryuichi Kishimoto finished with 10 points.
Devonte Burton led Busan (2-1) with 38 points.
After the game, Cooley, a University of Notre Dame alum and a former NBA player, spoke about his emphasis on rebounding.
"You know, rebounding is really like, 80 percent heart, 20 percent skill," Cooley told reporters. "And I had the 20 percent skill, but it's the 80 percent heart. But you know, my son was just born.
"So you know, I don't want to come out here and have these soft rebounding games, I don't want him to think that his dad is that guy. So, I'm just proud of the way I was able to rebound every time I go on the court. Rebounding is all about heart, I want to make sure that I win that battle."
Up next: The Golden Kings face the visiting New Taipei Kings (0-1) on December 25.
Suwon Edges Hiroshima
In other EASL action, the Korean Basketball League's Suwon KT Sonicboom topped the visiting Hiroshima Dragonflies 80-78 on Wednesday.
Five Dragonflies scored in double figures in the narrow defeat, with Dwayne Evans finishing with a team-best 19 points. Nick Mayo and Takuto Nakamura chipped in with 14 and 12 points, respectively, for Hiroshima (2-1).
For Suwon (2-1), Rayshaun Hammonds scored 23 points in the Group A clash.
Up next: The Taoyuan Pauian Pilots (2-0) play host to the Dragonflies on Christmas night.
Jets' Mooney Sidelined with a Foot Injury
Chiba Jets big man John Mooney, the B.League's leading rebounder (11.9 per game), was placed on the injury list on Thursday, December 5, the B.League team announced a day later.
The 26-year-old frontcourt standout has a bruised right heel bone, and he's also plagued by plantar fasciitis.
Mooney, who is in his fourth season with the Jets, is averaging 13.8 points in 16 games for the title-chasing club.
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Boxing
Tokuyama Opens Gym in Osaka Prefecture
Masamori Tokuyama, a former WBC super flyweight champion, has set up shop with his own boxing gym nearly two decades after his retirement as a fighter.
The 50-year-old Tokuyama opened Tokuyama Boxing Gym in Higashiosaka, Osaka Prefecture, on Monday, December 2.
From the get-go, the gym aims to train fighters of all ages.
"I also welcome fitness enthusiasts, and I want to focus on kids as well," Tokuyama was quoted as saying by Jiji Press.
Looking ahead, he added: "I want to train full-fledged champions like Naoya Inoue, Kazuto Ioka and Junto Nakatani."
Tokuyama retired with a 32-3-1 record (eight knockouts) in 2007.
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Sumo
Dates Announced for 2025 UK Tournament
The Japan Sumo Association's five-day autumn tournament in 2025 will be held at Royal Albert Hall in London, it was announced on Wednesday, December 4.
Matches, including those featuring makuuchi division wrestlers, are scheduled from October 15-19 in the British capital.
It will be the JSA's first tournament in the United Kingdom since 1991. Then-yokozuna Hokutoumi was a part of that trip to promote Japan's traditional national sport.
Now, he is the JSA chairman and goes by the name Hakkaku.
Contrasting his goals in 1991 and the goals of the 2025 sumo excursion, Hakkaku said, according to NHK: "Back in 1991, I was a sumo wrestler, so my aim was to win the tournament. But this time, coming back as chairman, the most important thing for me would be to bring Japanese tradition and culture to the British people."
The opportunity to showcase sumo once again in Britain is a big deal for Hakkaku.
"I feel great joy and a strong sense of responsibility to be involved in the London tournament once again," Hakaku was quoted as saying by The Asahi Shimbun.
Briefly…
Yuya Yoshida triumphed in the Fukuoka International Marathon on Sunday, December 1, completing the race in 2 hours, 5 minutes, 16 seconds. Yoshida now owns the third-fastest marathon time by a Japanese runner.
On its December 5 episode, The "NBA G League Takeover" podcast led off with a discussion about point guard Yuki Kawamura, who is averaging 10.8 points and 11.8 assists in five games for the Memphis Hustle in the 2024-25 season. The 5-foot-8 playmaker is also competing for the NBA's Memphis Grizzlies on a two-way contract.
Gianna Hearn, one of the podcast's hosts, dished out this insight on Kawamura: "Yuki doesn't even have to step afoot on the court for the crowd to go crazy, not just for the Memphis Hustle, but for the Grizzlies' big team. You hear all the chants, you hear everything that's happening. They want Yuki in if he's not playing."
Author: Ed Odeven
Find Ed on JAPAN Forward's dedicated website, SportsLook. Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven.
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