Cody Snavely
The Los Angeles Dodgers, the declared “winners” of the 2023-2024 MLB offseason, had their fans eager for the start of spring training.
With players reporting to camp earlier this month and spring training games since this past Thursday, many fans have wondered when the two newest Dodgers will debut.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts answered those questions, stating that Ohtani and Yamamoto would each make their highly anticipated debuts this week.
The face of baseball makes his return
The Dodgers’ biggest fish this offseason was two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani, who signed a 10-year $700 million deal with LA in December.
Ohtani, the unanimous 2023 AL MVP, spent his last six seasons with the cross-freeway rival Angels before hitting free agency this past season.
However, many around baseball could not gauge his contract due to another elbow injury, which would inevitably need surgery.
The Dodgers, however, had no issues shelling out the largest contract in North American sports history.
Ohtani, who has been sidelined since September due to an oblique injury that ended his season, took his first live at-bats the other week, another check in his recovery to-do list.
Ohtani and the Dodgers have been in constant collaboration about Ohtani’s rehab, and last week, the media and fans got more clarity about Ohtani’s plans for this spring.
I feel like I have more than enough time to get to 50 at-bats; I can simulate it inside with the Trajekt Arc machine. I can do it in live at-bats. I’ll have enough time. I feel like we’re right on schedule, which is a really good thing; And my body is reacting really well so far. So everything is trending in the right direction.
Ohtani on his health and plans via Juan Torbio MLB.com
The Dodgers announced that Ohtani will make his long-awaited debut against the White Sox at Camelback Ranch this Tuesday.
From one Japanese star to another
Shohei Ohtani was not the only Japanese star the Dodgers acquired this Winter, as the team also inked right-handed pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
Yamamoto, who signed a record-breaking 12-year $325 million deal, will also make his Cactus League debut sometime this week. However, Roberts was hesitant to pick a date.
Unlike Ohtani, Yamamoto is not rehabbing an injury but is simply adjusting to the MLB style of play and preparation before the regular season.
Yamamoto has thrown a few bullpens and faced hitters in live at-bats, one of which he was praised by his teammates, especially Mookie Betts, who struck out in his first AB.
The Dodgers revamped their entire starting rotation this Winter, adding Yamamoto and Tyler Glasnow, who debuted Saturday against the Angels.
Dave Roberts has also stated that it is a “safe bet” that Glasnow and Yamamoto would be the two starting pitchers for the series, and both pitchers seem to be on the path.
In a tweet by DodgersBlue Matthew Moreno, he explained that if Yamamoto makes his debut on Wednesday, it would not only be at Camelback Ranch on regular rest since he faced live hitters but would also put him on pace to make at least three more starts all at home then could start Opening Day on March 20th in Korea on six days rest.
Other Notes
Dodgers sophomore pitcher Bobby Miller is also slated to make his 2024 Cactus League debut on Tuesday. Miller will be the scheduled starter, who will then be followed by Gavin Stone, Michael Grove, Blake Treinen, and Matt Gage.
Walker Buehler is also unlikely to appear this spring as he continues to rehab from his second Tommy John Surgery.
Dave Roberts mentioned today that Buehler is still trying to find consistency in his bullpen sessions.
He’s still kind of in that — it’s not rehab mode — but he’s got to get to the point where you’re getting hitters out. He’s not quite there yet.
Dave Roberts on Walker Buehler via Jack Harris LA Times
The Dodgers, who started spring training games on Thursday, are set for their first full week of action with games all week and their next day on Monday, March 4th.
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