Shohei Ohtani wasn't swinging at maximum intensity on Monday.
But in his first on-field batting practice since undergoing elbow surgery last year, the Dodgers' new star didn't need full power to put on an incredible show.
During a 21-swing session in the backfield at the team's Camelback Ranch spring training facility, Ohtani hit 10 home runs and many more hard line drives with seemingly relative ease.
It was the most positive step yet in Ohtani's development this spring, which was affected by a torn right elbow ligament he suffered last year. The injury requires a second Tommy John surgery in September and will prevent him from pitching. This season.
Monday also confirmed the slugger's optimism that despite his elbow issues, he is ready to be the Dodgers' Opening Day designated hitter when the season begins next month in South Korea.
“Overall I felt very good,” Ohtani said through translator Ippei Mizuhara. “Every swing was much stronger and I got good results.”
When Ohtani arrived at Dodgers camp last week, he had yet to take a swing on the field since undergoing elbow surgery last September. He's long had a goal of playing on Opening Day, ever since signing his historic (and much-delayed) 10-year, $700 million contract this offseason, but to get there There were still some important items left to check at camp.
As such, Monday's session was the highlight of the day at Camelback Ranch.
Surrounded by several front office executives, the training staff, secondary hitting coach Robert Van Scoyoc, and of course dozens of reporters and camera crews stationed behind the home plate screen and in several locations beyond the outfield fence. Surrounded, Ohtani took a soft swing. Toss throw by game planning coordinator JT Watkins.
His first drive was a flyoff off the left-center field fence. The next ball went over the center field fence 415 feet away.
“I was going to swing on the lighter side,” said Ohtani, who wore a brace on his right arm during training. “But I felt like my swing was feeling a lot better, which is a really good sign. I think I'm trending toward being ready for Opening Day.”
Typically, Ohtani does most of his batting practice indoors in a batting cage, concentrating on the technical elements of swing mechanics. But the 29-year-old said he wants to go out on Monday and “see how strong he is and how strong he is.” [I’m] He injured both his elbow and right oblique muscle, which he also suffered late last season.
Despite saying he was “a little more careful” with his swing, Ohtani still scattered balls far beyond the outfield and center field.
After a few drives, the row of trees planted just beyond the outfield fence was cleared. On another pitch, Ohtani grunted as he swung at a pitch that appeared to pop out, only to see it go just over the left-center wall.
After each swing, Ohtani glanced at his cell phone and tablet displaying data readings in the batter's box on the other side. After finishing two rounds of pitching (hitting five home runs in each), he consulted with his coach before leaving the field and returning to the clubhouse.
Ohtani said he won't take outdoor batting practice every day, but he plans to do it more often in the spring than during the regular season.
“Hitting work will mostly be done in the cage,” he said. “When I need to check something, I go outside.”
