Shohei Ohtani wraps up two-day stint at Dodgers camp, prepares to return to Japan

Shohei Ohtani had quite a full day at Dodgers camp as he engaged in both pitching and batting activities before packing up to travel to Japan for the World Baseball Classic. Although he did not play in Sunday’s Cactus League game, he participated in an extensive workout. Ohtani showcased his skills by throwing 33 pitches spread over two simulated innings of live batting practice, facing off against hitters such as Freddie Freeman, Max Muncy, and Mookie Betts, and reaching an impressive 98 mph with his fastball. He then switched roles to take his own at-bats during live batting practice before engaging with the media.

After his workout, Ohtani swiftly packed up to leave camp for Japan, where he will join his Team Japan teammates to prepare for the World Baseball Classic kicking off the following week. One of Ohtani’s team members, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, intends to make one more pitching appearance before departing the Dodgers’ camp to join Ohtani in Japan.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed Ohtani’s departure plans and expressed anticipation for watching him compete for Team Japan, emphasizing that they would miss him in camp. There is a structured plan in place for Ohtani to continue his pitching preparations during his time with Team Japan, focusing on simulated pitching activities rather than participating in official World Baseball Classic games.

Regarding Ohtani potentially pitching in preseason games, Roberts stated that such decisions would depend on Team Japan’s performance and Ohtani’s return timing. During Ohtani’s media session, he was jovially teased about potentially closing out the gold-medal game again, as he famously struck out his former Angels teammate Mike Trout to clinch the gold medal for Japan in 2023. Ohtani humorously responded by saying that if Trout showed up, it would be tempting, knowing that Trout opted out of playing for Team USA this year due to insurance reasons.

Overall, with a packed schedule of practices and preparations for the World Baseball Classic, Ohtani’s commitment and versatility as a two-way player are evident, marking his impact and potential contributions to both the Dodgers and Team Japan. The anticipation for his upcoming performances in the tournament is high, leaving fans and spectators eager to witness Ohtani’s skills on the field.