Ohtani, who signed a $700 million contract with the Dodgers in the 2023-24 offseason, didn't pitch in his first year with the club after having elbow surgery in September 2023. But he became the first player in baseball history to hit 50 home runs with 50 stolen bases, winning his third career MVP award.

Shohei Ohtani said he was "on schedule" in his attempt to return as a two-way player this season, despite what he described as a "complicated surgery" on his shoulder.