GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani is expected to make his first spring training appearance Wednesday for the Los Angeles Dodgers against the San Francisco Giants.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts also said Tuesday that Ohtani will be the designated hitter in Friday’s game against the San Diego Padres, as the Japanese two-way star works to prepare for Opening Day on March 26.
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Ohtani recently returned to Dodgers camp at Camelback Ranch after Japan was eliminated in the quarter-finals of the World Baseball Classic. The four-time Most Valuable Player didn’t pitch for Japan in the WBC, but stood out in bullpen sessions.
“I think three to four (innings) is about right for tomorrow,” Roberts said. “It’s just about doing what we can with what we have left to get him ready for the season. He did his part when he was with Team Japan and now you put him against real competition, you build him up there and you try to get as much preparation as possible before the season starts.”
Roberts said the plan is for Ohtani to play in another preseason game against the Los Angeles Angels on March 23 or 24.
That means the right-hander likely won’t make his first regular-season start until the team’s second series against the Cleveland Guardians.
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Ohtani posted a 2.87 ERA in 14 regular-season starts last season after returning to the mound from an elbow injury. He also went 2-1 with a 4.43 ERA in the postseason, helping the Dodgers win their second consecutive World Series title.
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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/mlb
