Dave Roberts Reveals Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, Will Smith 2025 Cactus League Debut Dates for Dodgers

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts revealed when three injured stars will make their 2025 Cactus League debuts for the Dodgers.

When Will Shohei Ohtani Play for Dodgers in Spring Training?

First, Roberts revealed that two-way star Shohei Ohtani is scheduled to make his 2025 Cactus League debut on Friday.

Ohtani, only playing as a designated hitter, will make his spring debut as the Dodgers take on his former team, the Los Angeles Angels.

Ohtani has been ramping up as a pitcher this spring, but will get into a Cactus League game as a hitter right before the calendar turns to March.

When Will Freddie Freeman Play for Dodgers in Spring Training?

Freddie Freeman, who had offseason ankle surgery after his heroic World Series performance, is set to debut Thursday vs. the Colorado Rockies. Freeman will play as the team’s designated hitter, and should get into games as a first baseman shortly thereafter.

When is Will Smith Playing for Dodgers in Spring Training?

Finally, Ohtani isn’t the only star returning on Friday, as catcher Will Smith is set to make his Cactus League debut, too. Smith was a little behind schedule this spring dealing with an ankle injury.

One Bold Prediction on Roki Sasaki’s Rookie Season With Dodgers

Wednesday’s game will be historic for the Los Angeles Dodgers, as Japanese-born starting pitcher Roki Sasaki makes his MLB debut in his home country.

The Sasaki sweepstakes this offseason were just a glimpse into the mayhem the 23-year-old is expected to produce in his rookie season. Several MLB teams fought for the right-hander, but the Dodgers ultimately came out on top.

FanGraphs’ 2025 Steamer projections predicts Sasaki to post a 3.30 ERA and 3.21 FIP across 24 starts this season.

If Sasaki is able to log stats like that on the mound, he will be a frontrunner for the National League Rookie of the Year award.

But, Dodgers Nation’s Doug McKain took his prediction one step further, predicting Sasaki to finish in the top five of Cy Young voting in the NL.

“He’s not only going to win Rookie of the Year,” McKain said on Dodgers Dougout Live, “but I predict he’ll finish top five in Cy Young voting.”

Pittsburgh Pirates right-handed starting pitcher Paul Skenes accomplished this feat last season. The 2024 NL All-Star was named the NL Rookie of the Year and finished third in Cy Young voting.

Atlanta Braves left-handed starting pitcher Chris Sale ultimately won his first Cy Young award, while Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Zack Wheeler finished in second place.

Sasaki’s statistical projections and successful career in Nippon Professional Baseball suggest he has the potential to follow in Skenes’ footsteps.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts officially named Sasaki the starter for Game 2 of the Tokyo Series on Tuesday. Meanwhile, right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto will start on the mound for the Dodgers in Game 1.

Sasaki will become the third-youngest Japanese-born player to make an MLB debut after a career in the NPB, per MLB insider Sarah Langs on X.

Only Boston Red Sox pitcher Toma Ohka and San Francisco Giants pitcher Masanori Murakami were younger than Sasaki during their debuts. Ohka was just 13 days younger than Sasaki, while Murakami was only 20 years old.