Two-time American League Most Valuable Player Shohei Ohtani won’t pitch this season due to an elbow injury he suffered last season. However, it doesn’t mean he can’t contribute to the Los Angeles Dodgers’ cause.
Instead, he will let his bat do the talking as the Dodgers go through their Spring Training schedule. Ohtani had a fantastic day from the batter’s box against the Colorado Rockies, getting three hits for two runs, two RBIs, and a triple.
A perfect day at the plate for Shohei Ohtani!
— MLB (@MLB) March 3, 2024
3-for-3, 3B, 2 RBI, 2 R pic.twitter.com/vUd7UUYJqu
Fox Sports reveals that Ohtani had six plate appearances in two Spring Training games before the Rockies game. He has two hits, an RBI, a home run, and three RBIs in four at-bats.
Last season, Ohtani batted .304/.412/.654 for the Los Angeles Angels. He collected 151 hits, 44 home runs, and 95 RBIs in 497 at-bats. Those numbers also earned him an All-Star appearance and a Silver Slugger award.
Dodgers fans are in for a treat if that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Maintaining a hot bat will also make his ten-year, $700 million contract, the biggest deal in North American sports, worthwhile. However, the Dodgers will defer $68 million of his annual salary until the contract ends.
-Lance Fernandez