Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani. Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani reveals his plan for spring training

There's a reason the Los Angeles Dodgers gave Shohei Ohtani a 10-year, $700M contract his offseason. He may go down as one of the greatest to ever play in MLB, both as a hitter and a pitcher.

He's a rare talent, but that contract didn't come without risks. 

First, Ohtani is 29, so he'll be old for an athlete by the time that contract is ready to run out. There's also the elbow damage Ohtani suffered last season while he was still with the Los Angeles Angels.

The two-way star underwent a procedure on his right elbow in September. The plan at the time was for him to be ready to hit as a designated hitter by the start of the 2024 season and get back on the mound by 2025.

How's that plan going now that it's in action?

"I feel good at the plate, seeing the ball well," Ohtani said through an interpreter, per ESPN. "Elbow-wise, there's nothing new."

Ohtani took live batting practice on Wednesday and, so far, through one week of training, he's taken five at-bats. Don't expect him to get much if any action in the Dodgers' Cactus League games, but he is planning on at least getting some work in.

"I feel like I have more than enough time to get 50 at-bats," he said.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Pacers ride historic shooting performance to Game 7 blowout of Knicks
Timberwolves mount incredible second-half comeback to stun Nuggets in Game 7
Xander Schauffele proves doubters wrong with historic win at 2024 PGA Championship
Four things we learned from Joey Logano's All-Star Race win at North Wilkesboro
Phil Foden lifts Manchester City to fourth consecutive English Premier League title
Watch: Aaron Judge blasts 13th home run in Yankees' seventh straight win
Canucks won't have linchpin forward for Game 7 vs. Oilers
Jags reportedly mulling extension for Trevor Lawrence, but is that the right choice?
Gordon Hayward calls role with Thunder 'frustrating'
Mets reliever Edwin Diaz showing short shelf life of closers
Three offseason moves the 49ers must make
Watch: NASCAR drivers exchange punches after crash in All-Star Race
Knicks star offers passionate defense of HC Tom Thibodeau after Game 7 loss
Knicks' Jalen Brunson suffers serious injury in Game 7 vs. Pacers
Dodgers add recently acquired left-hander to active roster
Report: 2023 No. 7 pick expected to terminate KHL contract, join Flyers
Mavericks advance to Western Conference Finals aided by controversial call late
Connor McDavid, Oilers hammer Canucks to force Game 7
Tyson Fury-Oleksandr Usyk epic increases excitement for potential rematch
Seize the Grey wins in muddy Preakness