Shohei Ohtani of the Major League Baseball Dodgers participated in his second actual batting practice at camp in Arizona and took his second turn at bat. Pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto also entered the bullpen for the first time in four days, making adjustments for the upcoming exhibition game.
On the 21st, Otani and pitcher Yamamoto posed for a season photo in their uniforms just after 7 a.m. at a camp in Glendale, Arizona.
The previous day, the 20th, was his first rest day since entering camp, and on that day Otani participated in actual batting practice and took his second turn at bat.
In his first at-bat, he saw five pitches against Hudson, a veteran right-handed reliever who has pitched in a total of 482 games, and chose a walk.
In his second at-bat, he faced Yarbrough, a left-handed pitcher who won eight games last season, and he hit the first pitch and grounded out to second.
Pitcher Yamamoto practiced pitching in the bullpen for the first time in four days since he pitched in actual batting practice on the 17th, and threw 10 pitches, the fewest pitches of this camp.
He threw fastballs, curveballs, and split pitches, and even after pitching, he remained on the mound to carefully check the position of his left foot and the movement of his weight.
The Dodgers will begin their open game on the 22nd, but since their opponent will be the Padres, who they will also play in the opening game in South Korea, on the 22nd and 23rd, Otani and pitcher Yamamoto are not scheduled to participate. Both are expected to start from the beginning of next week.
Base running practice with the steady No. 1 batter Betts
After batting practice, Otani also practiced additional base running and worked up a sweat along with Betts, the team's consistent No. 1 batter.
The 31-year-old Betts is a star player who won the season MVP (Most Valuable Player) in 2018 when he was with the Red Sox, hitting triple threes with 30 base hits, 30 steals, and 30 stolen bases, and he is also a star player with the Dodgers, where he has been playing since 2020. He is the unwavering No. 1 batter.
Otani and Betts used mini-hurdles to sprint with short strides, and then practiced for about 30 minutes using a device that allows them to sprint while applying stress using wires attached to their waists.
While Betts has stolen 172 bases in total in the major leagues, Otani has stolen 86 bases in total so far, and this season he is focusing on being a batter.In addition to achieving 100 stolen bases in total this season, he will also improve on his 26 stolen bases in 2021. Updates are also expected.
[Questions and answers from Otani]
Shohei Otani was interviewed for the third time at this camp since the 12th of this month, and revealed that his adjustments have been progressing smoothly so far.
He also commented for the first time on Rintaro Sasaki, a junior at Hanamaki Higashi who is attracting attention as he plans to attend Stanford University.
Q. The manager said he would have 50 at-bats by the start of the season, but do you think he will make it in time?
A. I think you'll arrive in plenty of time. Well, you can also use the Vision (indoor pitching machine). I've gotten about 5 at bats now, but I don't think it's enough. I think the total will reach 50 at an early stage.
Q. Is there much difference between hitting in an actual match and making adjustments with a machine or minor?
A. Well, that hasn't changed much. Of course there's adrenaline and concentration when you're actually playing the game, but I just want to check your swing when you miss your timing, your swing and reaction when you get stuck. I think that is sufficiently included.
Q. How do you feel in batting practice these past few days and how does your elbow feel?
A. It felt good, and the feeling in my elbow was good too. Well, when I tested it in real life, I didn't find anything to worry about, so for now. I think things are going well so far.
Q. I think his rehabilitation has progressed faster than expected so far, but does Otani himself feel the same way?
A. Ah, well, I'm still on schedule. I think it's better to feel better than following a schedule. It doesn't seem like it's coming early, so I guess it's coming as expected. I feel like there are some areas where I feel safe.
Q. Will today's live BP (actual batting practice) be included in the 50 at-bats?
A. It's included. For me, vision is also included. Also, if you go to an actual match, an open match, and there are no problems at all, I think you will reach 50 in total soon.
Q. (in Japanese from American media) Wanchangenki?
A. (Smiles and nods)
Q. What can you only get from an actual open game?
A. Hmm, well, what can I say? Of course it's about concentration, but it's also about hitting with vision. It's a little different from the environment where there are spectators, fans, and actual umpires, and the output is different. Well, I don't think it will change, I think it's okay, but I think it will be a little different.
Q. I feel like my batting form is straighter, but that's something I'm conscious of.
A. No, it won't change now. It won't change, but I'll make some minor adjustments. What I do hasn't really changed. For now, I'll start with how I feel, since it's this time of year. I think the first thing to do is to recover quickly and recover in actual combat.
Q. Do you go back to the dormitory and train after practice?
A. Are you going home today? No, basically I don't. Camping means that once you've done what you have to do, you go home. There's no pitching this year, so there's plenty of leeway in terms of volume. I usually swing the bat every other day, so I think I'll be hitting it every day from now on. For now, I think it's easy, or rather, I have a certain amount of time to spare.
Q. Chilling at home with your dog?
A. Hmm, that's right. Well (lol), of course there are days when I have other work to do. I think we'll only have that (time) until the actual open tournament starts. That's how I'm feeling at the moment.
Q. Hanamaki Higashi's junior, Rintaro Sasaki, will go on to university in the United States. There is also a story that he received some advice from Otani.
A. I don't give advice (lol) I think I just want you to do your best. I think he's a great player. I think the person himself or herself is the one who is thinking first about where he wants to go, what route he will take, and what he wants to be in the future, and it is not for me to criticize him. I think it would be great if the person could be satisfied with whatever path they take.