Ohtani’s Spring Start: A Homer and a Healthy Shoulder

Shohei Ohtani made a statement in his spring debut on Friday night, launching an opposite-field solo home run in his first at-bat to thrill the packed crowd at Camelback Ranch. The reigning National League MVP powered the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 6-5 win over the Los Angeles Angels, but beyond the highlight-reel homer, Ohtani was more encouraged by the resilience of his surgically repaired left shoulder. After undergoing arthroscopic surgery in the offseason to fix a torn labrum—originally injured diving into second base during Game 2 of the World Series—the 30-year-old faced his first real test and came away optimistic about his recovery.
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“Regardless of the results, I think the biggest takeaway was being able to go through my three at-bats without any issues,” Ohtani shared through his interpreter, Will Ireton. “Physically, it felt really good.” Facing fellow Japanese star Yusei Kikuchi in the first inning, Ohtani’s blast not only electrified fans who had flocked to see the Dodgers’ World Series hero in action but also marked a promising step in his return to form. With his shoulder holding up through the night, Ohtani’s focus on health over heroics underscored a successful start to his spring campaign.