The Los Angeles Dodgers kicked off the first game of Spring Training and defeated the San Diego Padres 14-1 in a game that did not have Shohei Ohtani in the batter’s box.
The Dodgers came out with a lineup featuring Mookie Betts, James Outman, Chris Taylor and the return of Gavin Lux. Freddie Freeman and Shohei Ohtani did not see action for the team.
Lux was the designated hitter in what will be a progressive return and is expected to be the day-to-day shortstop along with Venezuelan Miguel Rojas. Gavin Lux suffered a torn cruciate ligament in Spring Training for the 2023 season.
One of those who did make a great debut was the Dominican Teoscar Hernández with a bases-loaded double in his first at-bat. With hits by Chris Owings, Andy Pages and Chris Padlo, the Dodgers scored 8 runs in the same first inning.
In the sixth inning, the Dodgers scored six more runs to extend the lead 14-1, in a match that serves to warm up the engines in the series that will open this season with a doubleheader in South Korea.
When does Shohei Ohtani debut with the Dodgers?
Shohei Ohtani continues to recover from Tommy John surgery and is expected to miss some spring training games.
The Japanese could make his debut in 10 days when the Dodgers face the Colorado Rockies As part of spring training, as reported by Bob Nightengale.
The regular season for the Los Angeles Dodgers starts earlier due to the two games against San Diego in South Korea.
After those two games, a week will pass where the traditional campaign will begin with a day of the 30 participating teams.
According to Nightengale, Yoshinobu Yamamoto will have his first appearance of Spring Training next Tuesday in the game against the Chicago White Sox.
Yamamoto is set to be the Dodgers’ Opening Day starter in South Korea. This will be his first campaign in the United States after arriving from the Orix Buffaloes of Japan.
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