GLENDALE, Ariz. — Deliver on the Angels. Shohei Ohtani seems able to face his previous membership.
The Dodgers’ $700 million (deferred) man continued his obliteration of the Cactus League by going 3-for-3 with a triple, two RBIs and two runs within the Dodgers’ 7-4 win over the Rockies on Sunday afternoon at Camelback Ranch. He has reached base in seven consecutive plate appearances. And following the Dodgers’ scheduled off-day Monday, Ohtani is anticipated to be within the lineup once more Tuesday when the Halos go to.
Although the storyline that day is certain to be Ohtani’s first recreation towards the membership he departed in free company, the extra significant story is that the Dodgers are planning to start out Ohtani at DH for that Tuesday night time recreation adopted by a day recreation Wednesday towards the White Sox.
These can be Ohtani’s first video games on back-to-back days of the spring — one other vital step in his restoration from the September elbow surgical procedure that can hold him on the shelf as a pitcher this 12 months.
“I believe he’s most likely forward of the place we anticipated,” supervisor Dave Roberts stated. “However even speaking to him this winter, he stated he felt unbelievable. He was inspired about his development. To see the place he’s at proper now, it’s clearly a great factor. However I don’t suppose he’s stunned by it.”
Ohtani has performed three spring video games and rocked all of them, compiling a .714/.778/1.429 slash line in 9 plate appearances.
On Sunday, Mookie Betts, Ohtani and Freddie Freeman rudely greeted Rockies starter Austin Gomber with consecutive singles within the first inning — a window into what we’re more likely to see usually from the Dodgers’ Massive Three atop the order this season.
“It’s relentless,” Roberts stated of that group.
Within the second inning, Ohtani simply missed his second homer of the spring when he smacked a run-scoring triple off the highest of the padded center-field wall. He drove house one other run with a single within the third.
“He’s unbelievable, man,” Gomber stated.
And he’s prepared for the Angels.
Battle for No. 5 starter battle taking form
Proper-hander Emmet Sheehan performed gentle catch on the facet Sunday, which is an effective signal as he works his approach again from shoulder soreness however not ok to reassert him as a favourite to land the Dodgers’ fifth beginning slot popping out of camp. Roberts stated Sheehan remains to be “weeks” away from recreation exercise.
That opens the ground to others, together with right-handers Gavin Stone and Michael Grove, every of whom made his third outing of the spring Sunday towards the Rockies.
Stone began and allowed two hits with a strikeout in three innings. He stated he placed on about 10-15 kilos over the offseason in an effort to assist him preserve his velocity by way of the season.
The important thing to the burden acquire?
“Lot of Chipotle,” Stone stated.
Grove adopted Stone and gave up three runs and two hits with two walks and two Ok’s in 2 1/3 innings.
This got here on the heels of veteran Ryan Yarbrough, another choice within the fifth-starter battle, giving up a run (a Matt Mervis solo homer) on two hits with no walks and three strikeouts towards the Cubs on Saturday.
Although Grove completed the 2023 season within the Dodgers’ bullpen, Roberts stated he’s nonetheless seen as a starter.
“With the ability to throw the curveball neutralizes a left-hander — and likewise the cutter,” Roberts stated of Grove.