The Los Angeles Dodgers traveled to Japan ahead of the Tokyo Series, which is set to take place on March 18 and 19. The Dodgers, led by Shohei Ohtani, will face the Chicago Cubs in a two-game series.
Each team will have 31 players on the roster for the Tokyo Series before trimming down to 26 players when they return to the U.S. Ohtani is looking forward to playing in his home country and shared a message with fans ahead of the 2025 MLB season.
Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani Shares Message on Instagram
Ohtani expressed his excitement for the series by posting on Instagram, simply writing, “I’m back.”
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In his Instagram post, Ohtani shared a series of images and videos, including a photo of his earphones next to an airplane window, a Tokyo Series pamphlet, and a watch. He also captured an aerial view of Japan while in the air, a video of the plane landing, and a clip of a dog in the back of a car.
Returning to Japan is undoubtedly a special moment for Ohtani, who will look to put on a show for his home fans in this mini-series to kick off the 2025 MLB season.
Ohtani Looks to Build on 2024 MVP Season
Ohtani aims to follow up on his spectacular 2024 season. In his first year with the Dodgers, he played 159 games, hitting .310 with 54 home runs, 130 RBIs, and 59 stolen bases while being caught stealing just four times.
His on-base percentage last season was .390, and his dominance at the plate earned him the National League MVP award. At 30 years old, Ohtani remains one of the best players in the world.
He mentioned that it has been over a year since his last visit to Japan. During the offseason, he focused on rehabbing a shoulder injury that occurred during the World Series against the New York Yankees.
While the injury didn’t prevent the Dodgers from winning their second title in four years, Ohtani was not his usual self at the plate. He struggled against the Yankees’ staff, hitting just .105 (2 for 19), with 2 runs scored in the 5-game series.
For Ohtani, this homecoming is a rare opportunity, as the Dodgers will not return to Japan for the rest of the season. If he were to hit a home run against the Cubs, it would be a thrilling moment for both him and his Japanese fans.