Shohei Ohtani is preparing for his second season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, where the challenge will become more complicated, because now he will pitch for the first time with his team and must demonstrate his two-way talent that has him as one of the stars of Major League Baseball.
In addition, he will have to lead his team to defend its title and continue to prove that he has the ability to guide the Dodgers, as already boasted by one of his teammates, who has a long history in MLB, Miguel Rojas, who praised Ohtani in a chat with the Orange County Register.
“Not only because of the 50/50 season and the MVPs, but because of how he is becoming a leader in this locker room, attracting people to this organization (by being part of the recruitment process with Yamamoto and Sasaki), helping others despite being very busy trying to pitch again after surgery,” Rojas said.
Shohei Ohtani shines on his return to Japan
Japanese star Shohei Ohtani demonstrated prodigious power in his return to the Tokyo Dome on Saturday night in Japan.
In an exhibition game between the Dodgers and the Yomiuri Giants, the three-time MVP hit a long two-run homer to right field in the top of the third inning to give the Dodgers a 4-0 lead, unleashing the joy of the approximately 42,000 fans in attendance.
“He always seems to live up to expectations, he’s always up to the task,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. “Once again, he delivered.”
Ohtani opened the game with a walk and came up to bat for the second time in the third inning. It may not have been his best swing, but the 6-foot-4, 210-pound Japanese slugger managed to hit a slider from pitcher Shosei Togo 391 feet, far enough for the ball to clear the fence.
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