Well, that didn’t take long.
Shohei Ohtani homered during his first Cactus League game with the Dodgers, showing off the power that earned him the 2023 American League MVP.
The $700 million star did get off to a slow start in the 9-6 win over the White Sox at Camelback Ranch in Arizona, striking out looking in his first at-bat in the bottom of the first.
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) reacts after hitting a home run. APAfter hitting into a 4-6-3 double play in the third inning, the 29-year-old got another opportunity at the plate in the fifth and did not miss.
Ohtani worked the count full against ex-Mets reliever Dominic Leone before driving a middle-away pitch into left field, clearing the wall for his first roundtripper — a two-run shot — in Dodgers blue.
Los Angeles fans gave him a standing ovation as he circled the bases, and he carried an ear-to-ear smile as he stepped on home plate and gave first baseman Freddie Freeman a high-five.
“Definitely felt good at the plate, felt better each time,” Ohtani told reporters through an interpreter, according to the Associated Press. “We’re trending in the right direction.”
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) celebrates with Freddie Freeman after hitting a home run during the fifth inning of a spring training baseball game against the Chicago White Sox in Phoenix. APThe long ball in his final at-bat of his first game mirrored the homer the Japanese slugger blasted during his first live batting practice on Feb. 19 against Dodgers teammate J.P. Feyereisen.
Manager Dave Roberts told reporters Tuesday that the two-time MVP is truly a special talent.
“I’m starting to learn really quickly, he’s built differently,” Roberts said.
Roberts added that the lineup that featured Mookie Betts, Ohtani and Freeman as the top three in the order, isn’t a 100 percent guarantee for the regular season, but he liked the initial results.
“I feel that having Shohei hitting in front of Freddie gives Shohei a lot of protection,” Roberts said.
Ohtani is making quite the first impression after his whirlwind offseason that culminated in a 10-year megadeal — with many deferments included — with the Dodgers.
Ohtani homered in his third at-bat of the spring. APHe won’t pitch this season after undergoing elbow surgery last fall, but his bat — which produced an AL-best 44 homers in 2023 — should help solidify a Dodgers lineup that includes previous MVP winners in Freeman and Mookie Betts.
Roberts told reporters this week that he hopes Ohtani is fully ready to go by the time the Dodgers open up their season in South Korea against the Padres on March 20.
“Most importantly is his health,” Roberts said, per the AP. “So if it lines up, great. And if it doesn’t, then we’ll still move on from there.”
