Shohei Ohtani took batting practice outdoors on Monday for the first time since undergoing elbow surgery to repair a torn UCL.
Ohtani surprised everyone in attendance by hitting 10 home runs on 21 swings.
Click here for videos of batting practice.
After batting practice, Ohtani spoke to reporters about his feelings and provided an update on his progress as the season opener in South Korea approaches on March 20th. Ohtani intended to “swing on the lighter side,” he said, but he ended up hitting 10 home runs.
“I felt like the feel of my swing was really good, which is a really good sign,” Otani said through interpreter Ippei Mizuhara. “I think it tends to be ready for opening day.”
Ohtani said at Dodgerfest that he is “confident” he is ready to be the DH on Opening Day. Last week, he also told reporters he was ready to start hitting in spring training.
So far, he seems to be on perfect track and his swing already seems as good as it was before the surgery.
Ohtani, who will focus solely on hitting in 2024, believes he can add “some layers” to his offense this season. The three-time All-Star, two-time MVP, and two-time Silver Slugger Award winner has 44 home runs and 95 RBIs, and in 2023 he leads the majors with a slugging percentage of .654 and an OPS of 1.066.
Photo by Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports
