The designated hitter for the night game leadoff at home on the 1st, when Ohtani was confirmed to play in the exhibition game against his mother's home (LAA)

Feb 27, 2025

LA Dodgers Shohei Ohtani is training to hit at Camelback Ranch on the 27th (Korea time). AP Yonhap News

Otani raises his arms during batting training to adjust his posture. AP Yonhap News

LA Dodgers Shohei Ohtani has confirmed his first exhibition game during this spring training.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said on the 27th (Korea time) "Otani will play in the home exhibition game against the Los Angeles Angels this weekend"

The Dodgers will play their home game against the Los Angeles Angels at 10:05 a.m. on March 1 at Glendale Camelback Ranch in Arizona. The game is a night game, and Ohtani will take the batter's box as the designated hitter for the leadoff.

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 about two months 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.

Otani is throwing a bullpen session on the 26th (Korea time). AP Yonhap News

Ohtani has been improving his pitching condition at the same time since the opening of spring training. On the 24th, he pitched against 32 pitches thrown by minor league right-hander Nicolas Cruz at Camelback Ranch. He put his bat out to 18 out of 32 balls. In the second half, he hit a double into the right-center outfield, and roared as he finished training with a sharp right-handed hit. In other words, the batting practice went as desired.

Ohtani also increased the number of pitches and speed through bullpen pitching four times until the 26th as a pitcher. The third bullpen pitcher threw 25 pitches on the 23rd, and the speed on the radar gun was up to 95 miles. The speed of hitting 94 miles by throwing 14 and 21 bullpen pitchers, respectively, has risen again. This time, in addition to four-seam and two-seam fastballs, he threw cutters.

After watching Ohtani's bullpen pitching, Roberts expressed satisfaction, expressing his satisfaction by saying "a big step." It is said that it will not be long before he makes his first appearance in the Dodgers uniform. The club's return to the mound is in May

Meanwhile, according to Roberts, Freddie Freeman, who recovered from ankle surgery in December last year, will play for the first time in an away game against the Colorado Rockies on the 28th, and Bobby Miller, who is resting after being hit in the head by a straight hit against the Cubs on the 21st, will play bullpen pitching on March 1.

This article was translated by Naver AI translator.