Overview
- In his March 18 Cactus League debut against the Giants at Camelback Ranch, Shohei Ohtani allowed one hit over 4 1/3 scoreless innings with four strikeouts on 61 pitches (34 strikes).
- The right-hander’s fastball peaked at 99.9 mph, and he received a standing ovation when he exited in the fifth inning.
- He did not hit during the pitching start and is slated to serve as designated hitter in Friday’s spring game against the Padres, according to manager Dave Roberts.
- Roberts said Ohtani will make one more preseason start in the Freeway Series against the Angels on March 23 or 24, with the club aiming for roughly five innings in his first regular-season outing.
- After serving only as a DH for Japan in the WBC while throwing bullpen and simulated sessions, Ohtani’s build-up has the Dodgers weighing a standard five-man rotation to open the season rather than heavy piggyback coverage.