Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani will play a pair of Cactus League games before joining Japan for the WBC
GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani will play a pair of Cactus League games for the two-time defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers before leaving the desert to join Japan for the World Baseball Classic.
He was in the starting lineup as a designated hitter scheduled for two or three at-bats for the club’s spring training opener Saturday afternoon against the Angels at Tempe Diablo Stadium.
Announcement
“Sometimes he gets two and feels good or wants the third at bat,” manager Dave Roberts said.
When asked about Ohtani’s travel plans, Roberts smiled and said, “I promised I would try.”
Ohtani is scheduled to pitch against the live hitter on Sunday — and Roberts has already said the 31-year-old two-way star should be in the Cy Young Award conversation this season.
“I know it’ll be soon. He’ll play in a couple of Cactus League games, but I’m not exactly sure when his plane ticket will be. He hasn’t said,” Roberts said. “So I don’t know what day he will join Team Japan.”
Announcement
Additionally, right-hander and reigning World Series MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto was starting on the mound to throw two innings and about 35 pitches for his lone outing for the Dodgers before also joining the Japanese team for the WBC.
“Obviously him going and pitching for Team Japan, he’s going to try to speed up and get ready, so I think that’s more of what he does, use his secondaries, be efficient and get some outs,” Roberts said.
Once Yamamoto returns to camp in Los Angeles, he will initially be scheduled for about four innings and 60 pitches, according to Roberts.
The 27-year-old Yamamoto, who signed a 12-year, $325 million contract in December 2023, went 3-0 with a 1.09 ERA in the Dodgers’ seven-game World Series against the Toronto Blue Jays, so his workload after that banner October is something the Dodgers will monitor closely.
Announcement
“I think it’s incumbent on all of us to be aware of workloads and short-term and long-term and all of these things, which we are,” Roberts said.
During his remarkable World Series, Yamamoto had 15 strikeouts and walked two over 17 2/3 innings, allowing two runs and 10 hits. He and Randy Johnson are the only pitchers since 1969 to win three games in a World Series.
“I think I’m confident because there’s no exact science about early acceleration and success,” Roberts said. “Or be methodical and not participate to have success during the season. There’s just no exact science. I think for me and for all of us you’re just believing in the player, knowing that he knows what it takes to prepare for a season and takes care of himself. So I think for me it’s a simple way to think and understand, just believe in him, trust him.”
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