Ohtani hits HR in 1st spring training

GLENDALE, Arizona — Los Angeles Dodgers slugger Shohei Ohtani hit a solo home run in his first spring training plate appearance on Friday (Satur-day in Manila) following offseason shoulder surgery.

Batting in the leadoff spot, Ohtani worked a full count against Los Angeles Angels pitcher Yusei Kikuchi before driving a fastball to the oppo-site field, easily clearing the left field wall. A packed crowd at Camelback Ranch roared in approval, and it's another sign that the Japanese star could have another big season.

The 30-year-old was taking at-bats against big league competition for the first time since he had surgery to repair a partially torn labrum in his left (non-throwing) shoulder. He suffered the injury in Game 2 of the World Series while sliding into second base but still played in the final three games of the Fall Classic as the Dodgers beat the Yankees in five games to win a championship.

Ohtani won his third Most Valuable Player (MVP) last year after batting.310 with 54 homers, 130 RBIs and 59 stolen bases, becoming the first player to have 50 homers and 50 stolen bases in the same season. The two-way star didn't pitch in 2024 — his first with the Dodgers — because of an elbow injury.

Ohtani is expected to return to the mound this season, but manager Dave Roberts has said that probably won't happen until May.

Ohtani was playing on Friday against his former team, the Angels. Ohtani spent the first six seasons of his big league career with the Dodgers' crosstown rivals, winning his first two MVP awards in 2021 and 2023.