GLENDALE, Ariz. — In his first spring training appearance since undergoing offseason shoulder surgery, Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani showcased his skill on Friday night at Camelback Ranch. In his initial at-bat, Ohtani faced Los Angeles Angels pitcher Yusei Kikuchi and, despite an initial awkward swing and miss, he quickly found his rhythm. Ohtani took his position as leadoff hitter and promptly launched a solo home run, clearing the left-field wall to the delight of a cheering pro-Dodgers crowd.
Reflecting on his performance, Ohtani said, “The biggest takeaway was that I got through my three at-bats without any issues,” emphasizing his physical well-being after the game. He made two additional appearances at the plate, resulting in a pop-out in the second inning and a strikeout in the fifth. As planned, Ohtani and several other key players exited the game following the fifth inning.
The 30-year-old Japanese sensation was back in action against major league opponents for the first time since he injured his left shoulder— his non-throwing arm— during the World Series. Despite sustaining a partially torn labrum in Game 2 while sliding into second base, he played through the final three games to help secure a championship victory against the Yankees in five games.
Coming off his third MVP award-winning season, in which he became the first player to achieve 50 homers and 50 stolen bases with a .310 batting average, 54 homers, and 130 RBIs, Ohtani had made minor offseason adjustments to his swing. “It’s a constant feedback between how I feel and how the swing actually looks,” he noted, expressing satisfaction with his results.
Facing Kikuchi, who attended the same high school in Japan three years before Ohtani, added a familiar challenge. “A player of his caliber, you can’t get away with that,” Kikuchi remarked, reflecting on the fastball Ohtani sent over the plate.
The Dodgers aim to have Ohtani return to pitching duties later in the season, with manager Dave Roberts suggesting a May timeframe. Friday’s game was against his former team, the Angels, marking Ohtani’s return to major league play after joining the Dodgers last season in a $700 million, 10-year deal. During his six seasons with the Angels, he won two MVP awards in 2021 and 2023 before his high-stakes move.
With a concise spring training schedule ahead, the Dodgers are preparing to open the season in Tokyo against the Chicago Cubs on March 18-19. Ohtani is hopeful of participating as the designated hitter. His goals include garnering 50 at-bats through live practice and Cactus League games to ensure a strong start in Tokyo.
