Superstar Shohei Ohtani Takes Batting Practice in Full Los Angeles Dodgers Uniform
The Los Angeles Dodgers' $700 million man is with his new club down in Glendale, Arizona, and he's getting more and more work in at the plate as Spring Training ramps up.
Shohei Ohtani, who suffered a UCL injury late in the 2023 regular season, was shown taking batting practice in full uniform in a video posted by the Dodgers on social media Friday. Earlier this week, Ohtani was lauded for hitting 10 home runs during a lighter session, and now he seems to be taking more steps towards a full recovery.
Ohtani is fresh off his second AL MVP Award in three years, earning both honors as a member of the Los Angeles Angels. A record-breaking contract brought Ohtani up the I-405, and he now enters 2024 donning Dodger blue.
Over the last three seasons, Ohtani is a .277 hitter with a .964 OPS. He is averaging 41 home runs, 97 RBI, 19 stolen bases and a 9.5 WAR a year in that span.
Part of the reason Ohtani's WAR has been so high is because he is a two-way player, and his production on the mound has been top-notch in its own right. He is 38-19 with a 3.01 ERA, 1.082 WHIP and 11.4 strikeouts per nine innings in his career as an MLB pitcher.
The Japanese-born superstar likely won't pitch at all in 2024, as a result of his elbow injury, but that won't keep him from continuing to slug at the plate. The Dodgers are hopeful Ohtani will be ready in time for Opening Day in South Korea on March 20.
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