Shohei Ohtani has been an official member of the Los Angeles Dodgers for a while now, but it felt more real as he arrived at spring training.
After six years in the league, the two-time American League MVP is viewing this new opportunity as a fresh start.
“I’m on a brand-new team, so I’m going to act like a rookie,” Ohtani said through interpreter Ippei Mizuhara, via FOX Sports. “Try to get along with all the guys and teammates.”
Shohei Ohtani has arrived at Dodgers Spring Training ⚾️
(via @MLB) pic.twitter.com/78qRwQDUXI
— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) February 9, 2024
Ohtani signed a record-breaking $700-million, 10-year contract with the Dodgers this offseason.
The team had their first official workout on Friday.
The two-way superstar won’t be able to pitch this season, but that doesn’t mean any attention will be taken away from him offensively. Not by a long shot.
“I feel like there’s not just one level, but several levels ahead offensive-wise,” Ohtani said. “It just depends on what kind of lineup I’m in.”
What will that lineup look like?
It could look like this:
Which lineup are you taking right now? pic.twitter.com/h26eL3Q3tU
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) February 3, 2024
This obviously isn’t set in stone, but the outlook of it does have his new teammate, Mookie Betts, offering up whatever he needs to do in success of the team.
Manager Dave Roberts said the conversation is fluid as far as how the lineup will look, but over all — whew — that looks like it’s a team that will mean business at the plate.
