One spring training appearance is all the Los Angeles Dodgers have witnessed of Shohei Ohtani’s ramp-up for the start of the regular season next week.
Ohtani had one hit in three at-bats in the only game he played with the Dodgers this spring before joining Japan for the World Baseball Classic. He was not available to pitch for Japan, which lost to Venezuela in the quarterfinals on Saturday to the surprise of Ohtani and the Dodgers.
Now, with Ohtani back in camp earlier than expected, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said there’s a strong chance Ohtani will pitch in a game this week or early next week.