Shohei Ohtani throws 4 1/3 scoreless innings in spring debut on mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers
GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Shohei Ohtani reached back for the heater and found it, blazing a 99-mph fastball past Willy Adames for his first strikeout of the afternoon on Wednesday. For a guy who hasn't spent much time on the mound over the past 2 1/2 years, he doesn't seem remotely rusty.
The Japanese two-way star was in top form during his spring training debut on the mound, giving up one hit, two walks and a hit by pitch while striking out four over 4 1/3 scoreless innings against the San Francisco Giants. He threw 61 pitches, including 34 strikes. “The stuff was really good — it's going to get more crisp as he gets out there and gets regular pitching,” manager Dave Roberts said.
“But, man, it was really good. He knows he only has a couple outings before the start of the season, so he was focused. To have him touch the fifth inning was a huge win for us.
” Ohtani was unfazed by record-hot conditions in Arizona, needing just five pitches to breeze through the first inning as temperatures pushed 100 degrees at Camelback Ranch. In the second, he gave up a leadoff double to Heliot Ramos before retiring three straight, including Adames and and Will Brennan on strikeouts. “I was pretty happy with the pitch count today,” Ohtani said through an interpreter.
“In terms of the next outing, I do want to be better at executing on two-strike counts. I just didn’t finish off hitters as much as I wanted. ” Ohtani threw some live batting practice sessions in Arizona with the Dodgers before joining Team Japan for the World Baseball Classic in early March.