Dodgers manager Dave Roberts says three-time MVP Shohei Ohtani will make his first spring training appearance of the year on Friday night. That will be against his old team, the Los Angeles Angels. Ohtani will be the designated hitter.

Shohei Ohtani and Dave Roberts are in an ongoing prank saga. Subscribe to MLB Morning Lineup wherever you get your podcasts

Up until Friday, the prank war between Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani and manager Dave Roberts had been rather one-sided. But then, Roberts struck back with a stunt so good that even Ohtani couldn’t help but admit that the two were now even.

Shohei Ohtani wasted no time proving he’s still at the top of his game in his first spring training at-bat. Facing Angels left-hander Yusei Kikuchi, Ohtani worked a full count before launching an opposite-field home run,

The Los Angeles Dodgers have added an influx of talent this offseason, especially on the pitching front. For a team that had as many injuries to their key arms as L.A. did last season, the Dodgers overcame these constant ailments and won the ultimate prize in the baseball world.

When will Shohei Ohtani return as a two-way player? The post Dodgers Official Concedes Major Disadvantage After Dave Roberts' Shohei Ohtani Update Met with Skepticism appeared first on EssentiallySports.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are pumping the brakes on Shohei Ohtani's return to the mound. On Thursday, The Athletic reported Dodgers manager Dave Roberts says Ohtani's progress has been slowed a bit to give him a break.

If the Los Angeles Dodgers seem looser than usual this spring training—well, a World Series title like the one they won in 2024 will do that. Exhibit A: the ongoing prank war between designated hitter and pitcher Shohei Ohtani and manager Dave Roberts.

And Shohei Ohtani is already crushing home runs while also working on getting back on the mound. Speaking of Ohtani, he was the victim of a very good prank pulled off by his manager, Dave Roberts, who found a creative way to get back at his star player who pranked him last year.