Shohei Ohtani, playing in his first exhibition game as a Los Angeles Dodger, gave the fans what they wanted as he homered in three at-bats Tuesday against the Chicago White Sox.
"I was happy with both how it felt and my own strength," said Ohtani, who led the American League last season with 44 home runs before having season-ending elbow surgery in September.
Ohtani, who will be unable to pitch this season, struck out looking and grounded into a double play before blasting a home run to the opposite field at Camelback Ranch, the spring training facility the Dodgers share with the White Sox outside Phoenix.
"I wanted to swing at pitches that were good for me, and I was able to adopt that approach," Ohtani said of the adjustment he made.
"I'm glad today came off without any issues."
Manager Dave Roberts said Ohtani lived up to the hype that has followed him even before he moved to the Dodgers on a $700 million contract.
"(His debut was) really impressive," Roberts said. "He squared two balls up, and everyone was excited about his debut. He hits a homer back side. He didn't even get it very well, but it was good that he gave the people what they wanted."
The Dodgers are scheduled to open their regular season on March 20 with the first of two games in Seoul against the San Diego Padres.
Japanese right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto prepared for his first spring start by playing catch and throwing shadow pitches in the bullpen. He is scheduled to throw two innings against the Texas Rangers on Wednesday.
"It's going to be fun," Roberts said. "My expectation is that he's going to be able to manage his emotions."
Yamamoto, who won the 2023 World Baseball Classic with Samurai Japan teammate Ohtani, is also new to the Dodgers this season, having signed the most valuable Major League Baseball contract ever given to a pitcher.
Related coverage:
Baseball: Shohei Ohtani to have 2-3 at-bats in 1st spring training game
Baseball: A "safe bet" Yamamoto will start in South Korea: Roberts
Baseball: Ohtani takes batting practice in Dodgers uniform for 1st time
