MLB Insider Notes that Los Angeles Dodgers Have Yet to Announce Shohei Ohtani Deal

As reported by The Athletic, the Los Angeles Dodgers have yet to acknowledge the fact that Shohei Ohtani announced he would be signing with them.

Shohei Ohtani has decided to sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers, but the club hasn't announced anything just yet.

The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal noted Saturday evening that the Dodgers have yet to acknowledge Ohtani's Instagram post in which he revealed he would be joining the team. As reported by Andy McCollough in The Athletic, Los Angeles officials declined to comment when asked if Ohtani had taken a physical.

Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic also reported that the Dodgers would need to free up a spot on the 40-man roster before officially adding Ohtani.

Deal is not yet official. Dodgers have yet to even acknowledge it. Possible reason within this story from @ByMcCullough: “Dodgers officials declined comment when asked if Ohtani had taken a physical, the final step before a deal can become official.” https://t.co/GAW6zKAnBq

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 10, 2023

Ohtani shocked the baseball world Saturday afternoon when he picked the Dodgers over the Toronto Blue Jays, San Francisco Giants, Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Angels. There were reports Friday that Ohtani would be headed to Toronto, but turned out to be false.

Coming off his second MVP season in three years, Ohtani earned a 10-year, $700 million contract on the open market. He is set to join a lineup that already included a pair of former MVPs in Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman, and when he's fully healthy again in 2025, he will join the Dodgers' starting rotation as well.

There haven't been any reports to suggest Ohtani's deal with the Dodgers is at risk of falling apart, simply that there may be a few final details to hash out before an announcement can be made.

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