The Los Angeles Dodgers are in the final stages of their Cactus League slate with the bulk of the roster coming together as the front office finalizes remaining decisions.
In preparation of starting the year in South Korea with the Seoul Series, Shohei Ohtani has voiced that the hitting portion of his rehab from elbow surgery is complete. That clearance puts Ohtani on track to open his inaugural season with the Dodgers without a hitch as their everyday designated hitter.
Ohtani’s Spring Training production has been terrific, showing off his multi-faceted game with both his power and speed.
The two-way star is not playing Monday, but he’s still planning to get a few more at-bats by playing in the Dodgers’ final Cactus League games, according to Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group.
Dave Roberts said Shohei Ohtani will not be in the lineup Monday but is scheduled to play the #Dodgers final two Cactus League games Tuesday and Wednesday
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) March 10, 2024
Ohtani easily made it past his original goal of 50 at-bats in spring, which was a part of his regimented build up.
An area of his game that the Dodgers could emphasize more is his ability to steal bases, of which he swiped 20 this past year. Because of the new rules, Ohtani could maximize his on-base opportunities, taking an extra base. Any bump would benefit those batting behind him, directly benefitting Freddie Freeman.
Should Ohtani indeed play Tuesday and Wednesday, it will represent the second time he was in the Dodgers lineup on consecutive days in Spring Training.
Dodgers believe Shohei Ohtani is helping Yoshinobu Yamamoto
Joining Ohtani with the Dodgers is Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who was recently named the club’s second starter to open the season in Seoul, South Korea.
The expectations surrounding the duo are astronomical, and both are incredibly accomplished in their own right. Yamamoto, however, hasn’t pitched in Major League Baseball prior to the 2024 season.
A huge key for the right-hander is Ohtani, who has a trophy case of accolades in MLB and a wealth of knowledge in how to navigate the new environment. Yamamoto was wildly successful in Nippon Professional Baseball, and he would be best served to lean on his teammate to show him the ropes while being a line of support.
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
