Shohei Ohtani made a highly anticipated return to the pitching mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers, marking his debut against the San Diego Padres after recovering from Tommy John surgery. Ohtani had last pitched on August 23, 2023, while with the Angels and has an impressive career record of 38-19, with a 3.01 ERA over 86 starts. His performance is crucial for the Dodgers, particularly as the team copes with the absences of key pitchers like Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow.

Ohtani, who finished fourth in the AL Cy Young voting last year, is expected to significantly strengthen a depleted Dodgers rotation. His past success, including a stellar 2022 season where he posted a 2.33 ERA, makes him a pivotal addition as the Dodgers aim for a strong postseason push.

Shohei Ohtani powered the Los Angeles Dodgers to an 11-5 victory over the San Francisco Giants with two home runs, helping the team reclaim the top spot in the National League West. Ohtani's first homer was a leadoff shot against Landen Roupp, followed by a second in the sixth inning that marked the 250th of his career. Meanwhile, Clayton Kershaw delivered a stellar performance, pitching seven scoreless innings and bringing his ERA down to 3.25. Kershaw's strikeout rate has dipped this season, but he is still within reach of the 3,000 career strikeout milestone, needing just 12 more strikeouts. The Dodgers now hold a one-game lead over the Giants in the division.

Injuries continue to shake up the fantasy baseball landscape as we delve into the latest updates for key players. Shohei Ohtani's progress is being closely monitored after he postponed live batting practice, a significant step as he works back from major surgeries. The Dodgers are cautious, wanting to avoid overstressing his arm while maintaining his batting prowess. Meanwhile, Alex Bregman is dealing with a hamstring injury, raising questions about the Astros' infield depth. Yordan Alvarez is progressing from a hand injury but concerns linger about his return timeline. Cole Ragans is on track to return soon for the Royals, while other updates highlight the ongoing recovery efforts of players like Byron Buxton and Mike Trout.

Fantasy baseball managers are eagerly awaiting the returns of Shohei Ohtani, Ronald Acuña Jr., and Josh Lowe in the 2025 MLB season. Ohtani, recovering from Tommy John surgery, is making significant strides in his recovery and is expected to pitch by the summer. His impressive stats from previous seasons make him a valuable stash in fantasy leagues. Acuña is also close to returning after recovering from a second torn ACL and could be back in early May, though his running may be limited post-injury. Josh Lowe is in a more challenging position, as he is recovering from a Grade 2 oblique strain and is projected to be out until June. As each player approaches their return, fantasy managers must weigh the risks and rewards of keeping them on their rosters.