Dodgers Spring Training: Shohei Ohtani Doesn’t Have Preference For At-Bats

Shohei Ohtani has been in the Los Angeles Dodgers lineup for three Cactus League games thus far as he makes progress toward being ready for Opening Day of the 2024 season.

He’s scheduled to appear in back-to-back spring Training games against the Los Angeles Angels and Chicago White Sox on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively, marking the first time Ohtani will play consecutive days. Ohtani’s originally stated goal of reaching 50 at-bats is looking like an easily obtainable mark.

Ohtani is also taking advantage of the spent on the back fields, in the cages and in simulated games as he doesn’t have much of a preference between them.

“There’s not a huge difference between the game or inside,” Ohtani said through interpreter Ippei Mizuhara. “The main thing is looking for timing aspect if I’m late on pitches or early, and how my body reacts. There’s not too big of a difference.”

On Sunday, Ohtani went a 3-for-3 against the Colorado Rockies, which featured a line-drive triple off the center field wall. He also tallied two RBI in his third Spring Training start.

Ohtani appears to be nearing where his ideal point might be for Opening Day, maintaining that he’ll be fully prepared for the season. The Dodgers have a condensed timeline to their usual spring camp, as their trip to South Korea for the Seoul Series has them on a slightly abbreviated slate.

Some reports have said that once his elbow is fully healed, Ohtani could get some work in the outfield or at first base, indicating the Dodgers’ confidence in how he’s responding and their belief in him to contribute in multiple ways.

Shohei Ohtani reveals marriage

In the middle of last week, Ohtani revealed he is married to a woman from Japan, whom the 29-year-old suggested is not a celebrity and is currently with him in Arizona.

“I felt like it was good timing because it was before the season,” he said. “I didn’t really want any distractions when the season started. And I would have liked to announce it earlier, but there was some paperwork issues that kind of lagged the whole process. So that was the whole deal.”