Two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani began his first spring training with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday as the club gets an early start to a season that will begin March 20 in Seoul with two games against the San Diego Padres.
Ohtani was seen at the Dodgers' facility outside Phoenix on Thursday, two days after Japanese compatriot Yoshinobu Yamamoto began working out at Camelback Ranch. Ohtani has resumed taking batting practice after last year's right-elbow surgery that will prevent him from pitching this year.
"I'm at a new team and I'm really taking it as though I'm in the first year of my career," Ohtani said. "Getting used to the environment is the priority."