TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani on Friday tamped down concerns about his return to the mound by explaining why the team has had him stop throwing a bullpen session.

Ohtani has not thrown in the bullpen since Feb. 25 and is not expected to face hitters until after the Dodgers return from their season-opening series against the Chicago Cubs at Tokyo Dome beginning Tuesday.

Asked by a reporter during a press conference in Tokyo if something happened in his pitching rehab, Ohtani said, "Things have been going according to plan. I believe that's why the team thought I could take a little time off from pitching and prioritize the hitting aspect for this series."

"That's been good for me both physically and mentally."

Ohtani underwent his second right elbow surgery in September 2023 and had shoulder surgery shortly after the 2024 World Series on his non-throwing arm.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has said Ohtani might return to pitching sometime in May.

"First of all, I'll try to have a good series here," Ohtani said, alongside his Japanese teammates Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki. "I want fans over here to see not only Japanese players but also other top players of the world and to feel the excitement of Major League Baseball."

Roberts, attending a separate press conference, spoke about the Dodgers' 2025 season and Sasaki's upcoming rookie year.

"We're going to be very good. We have a lot of talented players. It was a great offseason acquiring Roki. I just think the last spring training has been a great learning experience for Roki, and I expect him to do great things for us this year."

The 23-year-old right-hander, who threw a perfect game in Japan in April 2022, is scheduled to start Game 2 of the Tokyo Series.