2024-02-28 00:03:00
GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani needed just three at-bats in the preseason to show what the $700 million player can bring to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Japanese star hit a two-run homer in his first game in the Dodgers’ blue uniform on Tuesday, when he worked the entire count in the fifth inning before hitting from the opposite side once morest Dominic Leone. The hit just cleared the left field wall.
“I definitely felt good at the plate, getting better,” Ohtani said. “Are we heading in the right direction”.
Ohtani had gone scoreless in his first two at-bats, striking out on four pitches in the first inning and then hitting a hard grounder into a double play in the third.
Twice named Most Valuable Player, Ohtani received a standing ovation before his first turn at Camelback Ranch, where dozens of fans wore his No. 17 jersey and applauded his every step.
The Dodgers, who were already one of the most emblematic franchises in the Major Leagues, have become more popular following spending more than $1 billion to acquire Ohtani and fellow Japanese pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
“With Shohei I’m starting to learn very quickly that he’s different,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “Today he made some really good swings.”
Yamamoto is expected to make his preseason debut this Wednesday.
Ohtani’s first swing wasn’t exactly something to remember. He fanned, as his helmet fell off.
It took him a few seconds to get up and return to the batter’s box.
But he quickly corrected that bad moment and showed the power that has allowed him to hit 124 home runs in the last three seasons. The crowd roared when the Japanese made contact with the ball.
And the cheer grew louder when the ball went over the wall.
“Just having Shohei in the lineup puts us in another dimension,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said before the game. “There is a lot of anticipation, we are very excited.”
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