Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani hits HR in 1st spring at-bat following offseason shoulder surgery
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Ohtani batted three times on Friday
GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Los Angeles Dodgers slugger Shohei Ohtani looked a little rusty for a moment on Friday night at Camelback Ranch, producing just one awkward swing and miss while working a full count against Los Angeles Angels pitcher Yusei Kikuchi in the first inning.
The five-pitch warmup was all he needed.
Batting in the leadoff spot, Ohtani drove the next pitch high into the air to the opposite field, easily clearing the left field wall for a solo homer in his first spring training appearance following offseason shoulder surgery. A packed pro-Dodgers crowd roared in approval and it’s another sign that the three-time MVP could have another big season.
“Regardless of the results, I think the biggest takeaway was that I got through my three at-bats without any issues,” Ohtani said through an interpreter. “Physically, I felt really good.”
Ohtani batted three times on Friday, popping out in the second inning and striking out swinging in the fifth. As planned, he left the game with several other starters following the fifth inning.
The 30-year-old Japanese star was playing against big league competition for the first time since he had surgery to repair a partially torn labrum in his left (non-throwing) shoulder. He suffered the injury in Game 2 of the World Series while sliding into second base, but still played in the final three games of the Fall Classic as the Dodgers beat the Yankees in five games to win a championship.
