With Major League Baseball spring training set to begin this week, many Los Angeles Dodgers fans were undoubtedly excited to get their first look at Shohei Ohtani after he signed a record-breaking deal with the team this offseason. But it looks like Ohtani will not be making his spring training debut this week, after all.
As the Los Angeles Dodgers prepare for their spring training debut against the San Diego Padres on Thursday, Shohei Ohtani is still limited as he recovers from his elbow surgery. As a result, he did not participate in batting practice this week and his spring training debut has been put on hold.
“He’s a lot further along than I think any of us — maybe not named Shohei — would have expected,” Roberts said Saturday according to ESPN. “He’s worked really hard, very diligent in his work, so he’s ahead of schedule.
“What that means as far as when he’s going to play in a Cactus League game, I don’t know that answer. But it just seems like every single day, he keeps [getting] better and feels real good.”
Obviously, this is some pretty brutal news for Dodgers fans hoping to see Ohtani make his debut with the team, and it led to a lot of reactions on social media.
What? https://t.co/XWCXX7ZvK1
— Crystal Hayes 📻 ✨ (@CrystalHayes917) February 19, 2024
That's what you get for that kind of money?
— Sarcasm King (@cincybrian) February 19, 2024
https://twitter.com/Chris_Halos3/status/1759392766499697060?s=20
I understand that the media and fans want to see him as soon as possible, but when did Shohei have the surgery and he is currently undergoing rehabilitation. If your only goal is to play 162 games or the postseason, you may be pushing yourself too hard,
— momoka (@xiamomo1215) February 19, 2024
Ohtani wasn’t out very long today, my first thought was that of concern
— Edwin Deuning ☮️🌹 Ⓥ (@coedv) February 19, 2024
He'll be back until after the All-Star break
— Jose El 23 🇲🇽 (@MexicanDonkey23) February 19, 2024
It’s not clear when the team expects Ohtani to be able to return to the field for the team.
[ESPN]
