While the Los Angeles Dodgers won’t hold their first official full-squad workout of 2024 Spring Training until Wednesday, Shohei Ohtani and multiple position players have already been at Camelback Ranch since pitchers and catchers reported last week.
Since signing with the Dodgers in December, Ohtani was a regular visitor to Dodger Stadium for offseason workouts. At DodgerFest, the two-way star said that while his recovery from right elbow surgery had been going well, swings to that point were limited to hitting flips.
Days later, Ohtani started hitting against a pitching machine, but not at full velocity. The 29-year-old then took another step forward one week later by taking batting practice on the field during the Dodgers’ workout Monday morning.
Ohtani’s first time taking BP on the field was nothing short of impressive as he slugged several home runs over two rounds of swings.
Wow, Shohei. 😳 pic.twitter.com/ifYb2cHVzY
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) February 12, 2024
Next for the Dodgers is going to be monitoring how Ohtani responds to the full exertion of swings. Assuming there aren’t any setbacks, he will continue to take swings on the field as the Dodgers near the start of Cactus League play ahead of starting the 2024 regular season with the Seoul Series in South Korea.
“It was my first time hitting outside ever since I got that oblique injury, so I was being a little careful but overall I felt really good,” Ohtani said through interpreter Ippei Mizuhara. “All the swings I’m taking in the cages feel good and strong, so I think we’re past the oblique injury.”
Shohei Ohtani expects to play Dodgers Opening Day
When discussing his health during an appearance at DodgerFest, Ohtani expressed confidence he would be in the Dodgers lineup on Opening Day of the 2024 season.
“I’m very confident, because we’re right on schedule,” Ohtani said through interpreter Ippei Mizuhara. “We’re not ahead, we’re not behind. We’re right on schedule. So as long as there’s no setbacks going forward, I should be ready.”
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