Major League Baseball (MLB) Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani (30) is smoothly preparing to play in the opening game against the San Diego Padres to be held at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on the 20th and 21st of next month.
Otani conducted live betting at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Arizona, USA on the 22nd (Korean time).
Live batting is a practice in which a pitcher stands on the mound and throws a ball while the batter bats at the plate. Otani made his first live bet on the 20th, and this was his second time.
Ohtani faced right-handed pitcher Daniel Hudson in his first at-bat and walked. He hit a grounder to second base in his second at-bat facing left-hander Ryan Yarbrough.
Ohtani, who signed a 10-year, $700 million (approximately KRW 931.8 billion) contract with the Dodgers last December, will not be able to double as a pitcher this year.
Ohtani, who underwent elbow ligament joint surgery (Tommy John surgery) last September, will not be able to pitch as a pitcher this year, and is preparing for the season to play only as a hitter.
Ohtani announced that he aims to participate in the opening two-game series against San Diego to be held in Seoul next month, but did not participate in live betting on the 17th and 19th, raising concerns. He also revealed that Dodgers manager Dave Roberts will not play in the opening game of the exhibition game against San Diego on the 23rd.
However, Otani erased the worries of those around him by conducting live betting twice afterwards. Ohtani also hit a home run in the live betting conducted on the 20th.
Ohtani said, “The feel was good, and there was no discomfort in his elbow. “I think it’s going smoothly,” he said. “I don’t think it’s progressing quickly, but I’m relieved that it’s going according to schedule.”
Coach Roberts said that it is necessary for Ohtani to have at least 50 at-bats before opening day. This includes live betting that is close to the actual game, assuming actual game situations in a batting cage, and even hitting against a pitching machine.
Ohtani said, “I had about 5 at-bats with live betting. “I think he will be able to fill 50 at-bats,” he said, expressing confidence. 온라인섯다