Shohei Ohtani has not been within the lineup for the Los Angeles Dodgers to date this spring. Nonetheless, that’s about to vary.
According to the Dodgers, Ohtani is anticipated to make his 2025 spring debut on Friday when the Dodgers host the Los Angeles Angels at Camelback Ranch. Following offseason surgery to restore a torn labrum in his left shoulder, Ohtani shall be slotted in because the Dodgers’ designated hitter in opposition to the Angels, a franchise the place he performed from 2018-23 and received a pair of American League Most Beneficial Participant awards.
Ohtani added to his MVP assortment final season, changing into Main League Baseball’s first 50-50 participant as he hit 54 dwelling runs and stole 59 bases to win the Nationwide League MVP award in his first season with the Dodgers. Together with his 2023 MVP whereas with the Angels, Ohtani enters 2025 as a back-to-back MVP winner.
The Dodgers is not going to solely showcase Ohtani for the primary time on Friday, but additionally will see catcher Will Smith make his spring debut behind the plate in opposition to the Angels. Smith has been slowed by an ankle harm this spring that has reportedly saved him from catching bullpen periods and taking any type of dwell batting observe.
In different debut information, Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman took the sector for the primary time this spring on Thursday in opposition to the Colorado Rockies because the crew’s designated hitter. The 35-year-old Freeman singled to proper area in his first at-bat.
