Shohei Ohtani had elbow surgery Tuesday, but he expects to be available as a hitter on Opening Day next season and will return to the mound as a pitcher in 2025.

Ohtani tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow Aug. 23. He continued as a batter through Sept. 3 until an oblique strain.

Dr. Neal ElAttrache operated at the Cedars-Sinai Kerlan-Jobe Institute in Los Angeles. He said in a statement that the sides decided to "reinforce the healthy ligament in place," suggesting the UCL wasn't reconstructed via Tommy John surgery.

ElAttrache also performed Tommy John surgery on Ohtani on Oct. 1, 2018.

Ohtani is eligible for free agency after the World Series. Before the elbow injury, there was speculation he would get a record contract of $500 million or more.