Dodgers two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani will not pitch this season as he recovers from elbow surgery, but he could end up being more than a designated hitter.
Shohei Ohtani may be more than just a designated hitter this season, after all. Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Monday that Ohtani — ruled out this year as a pitcher after his second surgery on his right elbow — will soon start a throwing program that might allow him to play in the field this season. 'Shohei this year is primarily going to be the designated hitter,' Roberts said.
Ohtani's Japanese friend Yu Darvish will start for the Padres on Wednesday, facing Ohtani for the first time in a regulation game. Darvish was a star for Japan's Nippon-Ham Fighters until he left for the majors after his 2011 season. The new star who stepped in for Hokkaido — in 2013 — was none other than Ohtani. The two have been friends and were teammates last year when Japan defeated the United States in the final of the World Baseball Classic. But they've never faced each other.
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