In Glendale, Arizona, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has announced that the esteemed three-time MVP, Shohei Ohtani, is set to make his first appearance of the year during spring training on Friday evening against his former team, the Los Angeles Angels. Ohtani, aged 30, will take on the role of designated hitter for the game. Although Roberts has refrained from providing a specific timeline for Ohtani’s return to the pitching rotation, he expressed optimism that it would happen sooner rather than later. However, for the opening series in Tokyo against the Chicago Cubs on March 18-19, Ohtani has been ruled out.
During the World Series, Ohtani faced an injury to his left shoulder when sliding into second base while playing against the New York Yankees, a series in which the Dodgers emerged victorious in five games. Subsequently, Ohtani did not participate as a pitcher in the following season, his debut year with the Dodgers, as he was recovering from surgery to mend a ligament in his throwing elbow.
Despite being limited to a batting role, Ohtani showcased exceptional performance by hitting an impressive 54 home runs and stealing 59 bases. This remarkable feat made him the first individual to join the prestigious major league 50/50 club. Furthermore, Ohtani secured his third unanimous MVP award, solidifying his status as a standout player in the league.
As a pitcher, Ohtani boasts an impressive record of 38 wins and 19 losses with a commendable 3.01 ERA. In the 2023 season, before suffering an injury in August, he achieved a remarkable 10-5 record with a 3.14 ERA. The anticipation surrounding Ohtani’s return to the pitching mound following his injury has generated immense excitement among baseball enthusiasts and fans alike.
[Link to original article: AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb]
