Tempe, Arizona – Reigning American League MVP Shohei Ohtani joined his Los Angeles Angels teammates Monday for the first preseason practice at the club’s spring training base in Arizona.
The two-way star demonstrated the power that saw him hit an MLB third-best 46 home runs last year, launching a shot high over left-center field in batting practice at Tempe Diablo Stadium.
He also loosened up his arm playing catch and appeared in good spirits, smiling and laughing between exercises with fans watching his every move.
Following his historic 2021, in which he also earned nine wins as a pitcher and was voted unanimous MVP, Ohtani will carry high expectations into the new season.
The entrance to the stadium where the Angels will play spring training games is adorned with a giant image of Ohtani, who is predicted to be the team’s Opening Day starting pitcher.
With the preseason starting around a month late due to the league’s 99-day lockout, the Angels have little time to get prepared before their first spring training game against the Oakland Athletics on Friday. The regular season will open on April 7, a week later than usual.
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Source : Baseball – The Japan Times