Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani Provides Health Update After First Batting Practice Since Surgery

When will we see Ohtani suit up officially for the Dodgers?

Shohei Ohtani took batting practice for the first time in a Dodgers uniform on Monday. 

To say he put on a show would be an understatement. Of the 21 swings he took, 10 of them were hit over the fence for home runs. When watching Ohtani stand at the plate for batting practice, the recoil on his swing looked akin to a snake loading up for a vicious strike.

Ohtani's hands follow the path of the ball exceptionally well. He flips his hips with ease, getting the requisite torque needed for both bat speed and launch angle. To put it mildly, sitting and watching Ohtani hit during batting practice would be exciting in and of itself. 

Ohtani has been recovering from a UCL surgery he underwent back in September. While pitching is out of the question this upcoming year, fans were wondering whether the recovery would impact Ohtani's ability to swing the bat come Opening Day.

Speaking to reporters through his interpreter, Ippei Mizuraha, Ohtani relayed that the batting session was a success. Based on how well he swung the bat, it also appears as if he's right on track to play on Opening Day. 

Ohtani thru his interpreter: "I was planning ... to swing on the lighter side. But I felt like the swings were feeling really good, which is a really good sign. I think it’s trending towards me being ready for Opening Day.”

— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) February 12, 2024

This is an exciting development for the Dodgers. Of course, the team will monitor how Ohtani will respond in the upcoming weeks. As he ramps up toward the start of the year, surely he will face some sort of live pitching. 

Ohtani's expected spot in the batting order projects to have him slotted third behind Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman. When factoring in the on-base percentage of both Betts and Freeman, one could envision many scenarios in which Ohtani will be in a position to drive in runs. 

If Ohtani slugs in the regular season as he did during this spring Ttraining showcase, he could become the first Dodger to ever hit 50 home runs in a single season. Shawn Green (49) holds the franchise record.