Shohei Ohtani made a thrilling return to the field on Friday night, electrifying fans with a powerful opposite-field home run in his first at-bat of the spring. But beyond the spectacle of his bat, the reigning National League MVP left the Los Angeles Dodgers' 6-5 victory over the Los Angeles Angels with something even more valuable—confidence in his surgically repaired left shoulder. "Regardless of the results, I think the biggest takeaway was being able to go through my three at-bats without any issues," Ohtani said through interpreter Will Ireton. "Physically, it felt really good."
The moment was everything fans had been waiting for. The crowd at Camelback Ranch roared as Ohtani stepped up to the plate for the first time since the Dodgers' World Series triumph. The anticipation had been building all winter as the 30-year-old superstar rehabbed following arthroscopic surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder. The injury, suffered during a headfirst dive into second base in Game 2 of the Fall Classic, had left some wondering whether he'd be fully healthy by Opening Day. But on Friday, he erased doubts with a swing that sent the ball soaring into the Dodgers' bullpen.
A Perfectly Scripted Comeback?
If there was any uncertainty about Ohtani's readiness, it vanished the moment he connected with a 94 mph fastball from fellow Japanese star Yusei Kikuchi. The ball exploded off his bat and disappeared over the left-field fence, igniting the crowd. Kikuchi, who attended the same high school as Ohtani, could only shake his head. "Obviously he's fine," Kikuchi said. "After that first home run he was able to hit that far, yeah, I'm sure he's going to be able to put up the same numbers this year."
All Eyes on Opening Day in Japan
Ohtani's return couldn't come at a better time. With the Dodgers set to open their season against the Chicago Cubs on March 18 in Tokyo, the franchise and fans alike are hopeful he'll be at full strength. The energy in the ballpark was palpable when he emerged from the dugout at 6:08 p.m., greeted by a thunderous ovation. He took three practice swings, settled into the box, and then put on a show.
The at-bat itself was a battle. Ohtani took a 95 mph fastball for a strike, watched a curveball dip outside for a ball, swung through another breaking pitch, and then let a low offering go by. With the count full, he didn't hesitate. The next pitch—a heater—was sent flying, and the stadium erupted.
Numbers Don't Lie
Ohtani’s dominance in 2024 was nothing short of remarkable. Slashing .310/.390/.646 with 54 home runs and 59 stolen bases, he secured his third MVP award. While his first two MVP seasons came as a two-way star, last season he was limited to hitting due to Tommy John surgery. Now, with a fully repaired elbow and shoulder, he’s looking to prove he can still be the most dominant player in baseball.
"You would assume there'd be some residual soreness or pain or lack of strength," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "But he's put in a lot of work, so it's good to hear."
The Road Ahead
While his offensive firepower remains intact, Ohtani’s rehab journey isn’t over yet. He popped out to shortstop in his second at-bat and struck out in his third before exiting the game in the fifth inning. He has a plan in place—he wants 50 at-bats before the season opener to ensure his timing is locked in. "It's a constant feedback between how I feel and how the swing actually looks," Ohtani explained. "So today was pretty good. I felt like it was pretty consistent with what I felt. So as I'm doing my rehab as well, I'm going to continue to do that."
Return to the Mound?
As for his highly anticipated return to pitching, Ohtani is eyeing a May comeback. He won’t be in the lineup for Saturday’s game, but he’s expected to play again on Sunday against a split-squad Chicago White Sox team. For now, though, he’s focused on his swing, his health, and making sure that when the season begins, he’s at his absolute best.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts summed up the night perfectly: "He does not cease to amaze. I was telling [Dodgers free agent signing Michael] Conforto, every time Shohei gets up to bat, you've got to watch because something special could happen. And obviously, there was a lot of anticipation for this night, and for him to homer his first at-bat off Kikuchi was pretty special."
Special indeed. With every powerful swing and every healthy step forward, Shohei Ohtani continues to prove that he’s not just a once-in-a-generation talent—he’s a force of nature. Baseball’s biggest star is back, and if Friday night was any indication, he's ready to put on another unforgettable season.
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