Los Angeles (United States) (AFP) – Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani homered in the first at-bat of his pre-season debut on Friday, quieting any lingering concern that his surgically repaired left shoulder might slow him in the upcoming Major League Baseball campaign. Ohtani belted a full-count fastball from Los Angeles Angels pitcher Yusei Kikuchi over the left field fence at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Arizona, where the Dodgers beat Ohtani’s former team 6-5.
Ohtani spent his first six seasons with the Angels before departing for the Dodgers in December 2023 for 10 years at $700 million. He enjoyed a fairytale first season with the Dodgers, earning his third Most Valuable Player award and helping them win the World Series as he became the first player to post 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season.
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But Ohtani suffered a torn labrum in his left shoulder attempting to steal a base during the World Series and had surgery in November. Nevertheless, he not only looks ready to star again at the plate, Ohtani is also getting closer to a return to the pitching mound. Having established himself as a two-way star with the Angels, Ohtani didn’t pitch in his first season with the Dodgers as he recovered from elbow ligament surgery.
But he has begun throwing bullpen sessions and the Dodgers anticipate he could be in the team’s rotation sometime in May. In the meantime he’ll continue to be a key figure in the batting lineup, and is hoping to be ready to play as a designated hitter when the Dodgers open the season against the Chicago Cubs on March 18 and 19 in Tokyo.
© 2024 AFP
