130m home run in the middle of the month, Jung Jo Jun! Ohtani Is Back, Debuts Weekend Angels Opposition Leadoff DH Exhibition

Feb 27, 2025

LA Dodgers Shohei Ohtani is making a live bet in the Camelback Ranch back yard on the 27th (Korea time). Ohtani swung his bat 14 times against 37 pitches against a minor league pitcher, sending one over the fence. AP Yonhap News

Otani is running the base while wearing a shoulder-protecting vest. AP Yonhap News

LA Dodgers Shohei Ohtani hit a cool home run in a live batting while the date for his first exhibition game in spring training was confirmed.

Orange County Register reporter Bill Plunkett said on the 27th (Korea time) 'Dave Roberts will play as the designated hitter in the Camelback Ranch home game against the Los Angeles Angels this weekend. It will be his first game in the Cactus League, and Otani played his second live bet against a minor league pitcher in the Camelback Ranch backfield, hitting one home run in 14 swings against 37 pitches.

The Dodgers posted a video of Ohtani's live batting and base running training on Club X, who hit a home run in the middle of the day by vigorously hitting the ball thrown by right-hander minor leaguer single A Christian Zazueta.

Ohtani made his first live batting against 32 pitches thrown by minor league right-hander Nicolas Cruz on the 24th. At that time, he swung his bat No. 18 and finished batting last with a double-base hit to right-center and a sharp right-handed hit.

On this day, he put more power on the bat. The home run was a big hit that extended toward the center with a cheerful bursting sound. Japanese media reported that the distance was 130 meters.

Otani smiles at someone during batting training. AP Yonhap News

The video also showed Ohtani repeatedly circling the infield diamond. There are scenes in which he sprints to first base after pretending to hit at bat, hits a double-starred ball, slides around first base, and tries to steal second base by taking away the pitcher's motion. It should be noted that Ohtani, who underwent surgery on his left shoulder in November last year, played in a black vest protecting his shoulder over a jersey top. On the premise, there seemed to be no problem with base learning.

According to Roberts, Ohtani will play as a leadoff designated hitter in the home game against the Angels at 10:05 a.m. on March 1 at Glendale Camelback Ranch in Arizona. This is his first spring training appearance. For that reason, numerous reporters and Dodgers officials paid considerable attention to the live batting on that day.

As for Ohtani's return to the mound, Roberts also said, `There is no set schedule, but I hope he will be able to return soon.'

Ohtani, who underwent surgery on his right elbow in September 2023 and only focused on rehabilitation as a pitcher last year, injured his left shoulder while stealing second base in Game 2 of the World Series against the New York Yankees on Oct. 27 and underwent surgery to seal the wassoon on Nov. 6. He is in the final stages of rehabilitation as a pitcher, and his plan to take the mound in this year's opening game has been pushed back by more than a month due to shoulder surgery.

However, as a batter, there is no problem playing in the opening series against the Chicago Cubs in Tokyo on March 18-19.

This article was translated by Naver AI translator.