LOS ANGELES (Kyodo) -- Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani said Saturday he had to evacuate for about two weeks when the Los Angeles wildfires came close to his home last month.

"I quickly packed up my stuff in the middle of the night," Ohtani told reporters during the team's FanFest at Dodger Stadium. "When I returned to pick up something I had left, nearby homes were burning."

Ohtani, now back at his house, added that he was in bed with influenza while evacuated with his wife Mamiko and pet dog Dekopin.

"I just really felt my heart sink when I witnessed the areas and houses that burned down. I had the chance to talk to firefighters and found out that a lot of them didn't have the chance to go back home," Ohtani said.

The 30-year-old from Japan, a three-time MVP in the major leagues, also said he is on schedule in his bid to return as a two-way player this year.

He underwent left shoulder surgery after the World Series, in addition to right elbow surgery in 2023.

"The biggest determinant is going to be when I first pitch my bullpen. Then I think we're going to really get a feel for when I'll be able to be on a big-league mound," Ohtani said.