Ohtani had surgery on his left shoulder in November, and surgery on his throwing elbow last fall, so pitching this season has already been ruled out - but the hope was to see him in spring training as a hitter.
That will have to be pushed back at best.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts says he's been encouraged by Ohtani's progress physically.
The goal is to have Ohtani ready as a hitter by the March 20 opener against the Padres in Seoul, South Korea.
The two-time MVP signed a $700 million, 10-year contract as a free agent in December.