Dodgers star Ohtani homers in pre-season debut / Photo: Jeremy Chen - GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
-
Henry the hero as New Zealand level England series in style
-
Britain's King Charles to reveal personal tax bill: Palace
-
Gill to skipper India against England, Kohli to play if fit
-
France presses ahead with street music festivals despite extreme heat
-
UK's Starmer mulling 'political realities': senior minister
-
England's Stokes and Atkinson withdrawn from county games ahead of 3rd Test
-
France presses ahead with music festivals despite extreme heat
-
Ukrainian strikes on Russian-annexed Crimea kill 4, pause fuel sales
-
Springboks recall 'outstanding' Papier for Nations Championship
-
US, Iran set for talks as Lebanon conflict threatens deal
-
Bezzecchi out of Czech MotoGP after slapping steward
-
Spain target convincing win to dispel World Cup doubts
-
FIFA draws criticism as Infantino clocks up air miles at World Cup
-
Curacao keeper Room jokes he deserves statue after World Cup heroics
-
Japan stroll to victory over Tunisia in World Cup's 1,000th game
-
Pakistan's mango exports shrink as Middle East war impacts linger
-
Trump blames 'terrible vandals' for Washington pool renovation woes
-
Iran World Cup travel restrictions to be eased, says coach
-
Man charged over suspected anti-Muslim attacks in Edinburgh
-
Room heroics earn Curacao World Cup point against Ecuador
-
Britain's King Charles to reveal personal tax bill: reports
-
New mindset, prior win give Clark confidence at US Open
-
Fly-half Love ready for All Blacks start after Super Rugby heroics
-
Scheffler eager to seize the moment as career slam beckons
-
Saudis seek to repeat Argentina World Cup 'miracle' against Spain
-
Clark leads by six at US Open as Scheffler charges
-
Nagelsmann says Germany has higher ambitions than advancing to knockout stage
-
Los Angeles under state of emergency due to warehouse fire
-
US and Iran set for new talks after delay and deadly strikes
-
'Fired up' Spain ready to hit back, says De la Fuente
-
Germany into World Cup last 32 after late comeback, Dutch thrash Sweden
-
Germany come from behind to beat Ivory Coast and reach World Cup last 32
-
Albanian protests against Trump-linked resort swell
-
Clark clings to US Open lead as Scheffler charges
-
Burn dons cowboy boots as England unwind at World Cup
-
Miotti kicks Montpellier past Stade Francais into Top 14 final
-
France's Saliba says playing through the pain at World Cup
-
Iran says Hormuz closed as US-Iran deal falters over Lebanon
-
Counter-terror cops probe suspected anti-Muslim 'attacks' in Edinburgh
-
Bagnaia scorches to Czech MotoGP sprint victory, Bezzecchi suspended
-
Clark begins with bogey as McIlroy charges at US Open
-
Bolivia declares state of emergency, deploys military to quell protests
-
Specter of military escalation hangs over Colombia vote
-
Heavy metal: French town hosts medieval combat cage fights
-
Jamieson strikes as New Zealand eye series-levelling win despite Root heroics
-
Dutch swat Sweden as Germany, Ivory Coast eye World Cup knockout rounds
-
Netherlands thump Sweden in Houston to get World Cup liftoff
-
Scheffler opens with bogeys while McIlroy pars at windy US Open
-
Jamieson strikes as New Zealand eye series-levelling win against England
-
Brazil turn corner but tougher World Cup tests await
Dodgers star Ohtani homers in pre-season debut
Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani homered in the first at-bat of his pre-season debut on Friday, quieting any lingering concern that his surgically repaired left shoulder might slow him in the upcoming Major League Baseball campaign.
Ohtani belted a full-count fastball from Los Angeles Angels pitcher Yusei Kikuchi over the left field fence at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Arizona, where the Dodgers beat Ohtani's former team 6-5.
Ohtani spent his first six seasons with the Angels before departing for the Dodgers in December 2023 for 10 years at $700 million.
He enjoyed a fairytale first season with the Dodgers, earning his third Most Valuable Player award and helping them win the World Series as he became the first player to post 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season.
But Ohtani suffered a torn labrum in his left shoulder attempting to steal a base during the World Series and had surgery in November.
Nevertheless, he not only looks ready to star again at the plate, Ohtani is also getting closer to a return to the pitching mound.
Having established himself as a two-way star with the Angels, Ohtani didn't pitch in his first season with the Dodgers as he recovered from elbow ligament surgery.
But he has begun throwing bullpen sessions and the Dodgers anticipate he could be in the team's rotation sometime in May.
In the meantime he'll continue to be a key figure in the batting lineup, and is hoping to be ready to play as a designated hitter when the Dodgers open the season against the Chicago Cubs on March 18 and 19 in Tokyo.
A.Taylor--AT
