Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani will begin a throwing program that could allow him to be more than just a designated hitter this season.
Manager Dave Roberts made the announcement on Monday in Seoul, South Korea, where the Dodgers will open the season with games against the San Diego Padres on Wednesday and Thursday.
Ohtani, who signed a record $700 million contract with the Dodgers in December, will not pitch this season following surgery on his right elbow. But there’s now at least a chance he could play somewhere defensively in addition to his DH duties.
“Shohei this year is primarily going to be the designated hitter,” Roberts said. “Once we get back to the States, he is going to start his throwing program, which he hasn’t started yet. We’ll see how that progression goes. If his arm is healthy enough, we’ll have that conversation in the field. I do know he’s not going to pitch this year.”
Ohtani, 29, won his second American League Most Valuable Player award in 2023 to wrap up a six-year stint with the Los Angeles Angels. The right-hander was 10-5 with a 3.14 ERA in 23 starts and batted .304 with 44 homers and 95 RBIs in 135 games.
Ohtani has only played 8 1/3 innings in the outfield in the majors, with six appearances in right field and one in left and none since 2021.
–Field Level Media
Michael Conforto homered among his three hits, Blake Sabol also had three hits, and the San Francisco Giants beat the Colorado Rockies 8-6 in Denver on Wednesday night. Matt Chapman…
Jorge Mateo singled home the go-ahead run in the 12th inning and the visiting Baltimore Orioles beat the Washington Nationals 7-6 on Wednesday night after blowing two-run leads in the…
Adolis Garcia, Josh Smith and Jonah Heim had consecutive RBI hits in a three-run eighth inning Wednesday night that helped the Texas Rangers outlast the host Oakland Athletics 12-11 and…
Orioles top Nationals in 12th after blowing two late leads
Rangers outslug A’s to earn doubleheader split
Twins lean on long ball to put away Mariners
Chris Sale sharp as Braves shut out Red Sox