Shohei Ohtani Brought Outfield Glove to Dodgers Spring Training

Shohei Ohtani won’t be pitching this year for the Dodgers as he recovers from major offseason elbow surgery to repair a torn UCL. Does that mean he’ll be locked into the designated hitter spot, though?

Following Ohtani’s Cactus League debut on Tuesday in which he hit a two-run home run, Ohtani told Japanese reporters that he brought on outfield glove with him to camp just in case he needed to use it.

While Ohtani played some outfield for the Angels in 2021 — a total of seven games and 8.1 innings — it’s very unlikely the Dodgers throw him out there to risk injury in the first year of a $700 million contract in which the Dodgers are banking on him returning as a pitcher for the next nine.

However, Ohtani has made it clear he wants to help his team however he can, which is likely why he brought the glove with him.

Dave Roberts Responds to Question About Shohei Ohtani Playing Outfield for Dodgers

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was asked about Ohtani potentially playing in the outfield this year, and said he doesn’t expect him to be out there this season.

He also added this legendary quote about his new superstar.

“With Shohei, as I’m learning quickly, he’s built differently,” Roberts said.

Ohtani was in the No. 2 spot in the lineup on Tuesday, which is where he’ll be at least to start the season. Roberts doesn’t plan on making any drastic changes early on, so as long as Ohtani keeps doing what he did on Tuesday, he’ll likely make that No. 2 hole his permanent home all year long.

The designated hitter spot appears to be his permanent home this year, too.

Photo Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

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