The First Dodger to be Spotted in Spring Training is Exactly Who You Would Expect
Two days after he wowed a sold-out crowd at DodgerFest, Shohei Ohtani was back at work in another state altogether. Hochi News reported Monday that Ohtani has already been working out at Camelback Ranch-Glendale, and has the photographic evidence to prove it.
Ohtani signed a 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers in December, ending the most lucrative free agent pursuit in baseball history. Almost immediately, he was getting in his workouts at Dodger Stadium, acquainting himself with his new surroundings and setting an example worthy of the largest contract in baseball history.
Saturday marked Ohtani's formal Dodger Stadium debut, as 35,000 paid fans packed in to see and hear from the superstar in his new uniform. It was a media frenzy as expected. A large security detail was on hand to follow Ohtani's every move.
As it turns out, Saturday was also the last Dodger Stadium would see of Ohtani for quite some time.
Ohtani, who underwent surgery on his right elbow in Sept. 2023, won't be pitching in 2024. As such, he was not required to report with pitchers and catchers on Feb. 9. So why the early start?
The Dodgers are hoping Ohtani will be ready to assume full-time designated hitter duties March 20, when their regular season begins in Seoul, South Korea. Ohtani said Saturday he's confident he'll be healthy in time.
The first order of business: Jumping on a plane to Phoenix ahead of most of his teammates. The Dodgers' first full-squad workout is scheduled for Feb. 14. Ohtani effectively got a nine-day head start as he looks to be ready to hit on Opening Day.
