Get your popcorn ready and your Dodgers’ hat on: Shohei Ohtani is set to make his Los Angeles debut.
Well, it’s his Glendale, Ariz., debut, but it will be the first time Ohtani makes an appearance in a Dodger uniform in a game.
MORE: Watch Shohei Ohtani’s debut live with Fubo (free trial)
Ohtani was the highlight of the offseason when he inked a 10-year, $ 700 million contract with the Dodgers, bringing baseball’s biggest star to Tinseltown. Though Ohtani won’t be pitching at all in 2024 as he recovers from offseason elbow surgery, he will be batting as a designated hitter, which is must-see TV even if he’s not on the mound.
Ohtani is likely to take just a plate appearance or two, but there is still plenty of palpable excitement over his return to play in a new uniform.
Sporting News will be tracking updates throughout his first spring training game and providing analysis of his performance.
MORE: Dodgers spring training schedule and ticket info
Shohei Ohtani stats
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Shohei Ohtani live updates, highlights from Dodgers spring training debut
(All times Eastern)
3:04 p.m. — The Dodgers are at home, so Ohtani will start the day in the dugout while Bobby Miller takes the mound.
Pregame
2:40 p.m. — Ohtani’s first spring training plate appearance is set to come against White Sox lefty Garrett Crochet, who underwent major elbow surgery himself before returning to make 13 appearances in 2023.
2:25 p.m. — It’s been just over five months since Ohtani underwent elbow surgery, which he said at the time wouldn’t prevent him from being ready for Opening Day. It has to be encouraging for the Dodgers and their fans that he’s ready to roll three full weeks before the team starts the season in South Korea.
2:05 p.m. — The Dodgers have gotten off to an undefeated start this spring with four consecutive wins. Does that mean anything? Doubtful, though it could be a testament to the depth that has been as much of a factor in the franchise’s success over the last decade as stars have been.
1:50 p.m. — The Betts-Ohtani-Freeman order at the top of Los Angeles’s lineup has historical ties to it. No team has had three former MVPs at the top of the batting order since the 1983 Phillies. There’s a reason why Dodgers fans are excited to see the stars shine in L.A., and today is their first taste of that three-headed monster.
No team has had three former MVPs at the top of their lineup since the 1983 Phillies 🤯@TimNeverett shares the hype heading into the Dodgers’ Big 3 #SpringTraining debut of Betts, Ohtani and Freeman. pic.twitter.com/QkAmjVqmcV
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) February 27, 2024
1:40 p.m.: Ohtani is slated to bat second in the Dodgers’ lineup today, sandwiched in between Mookie Betts at leadoff and Freddie Freeman in the No. 3 spot.
Rest of the #Dodgers lineup today against the White Sox pic.twitter.com/CXRaGWUdLV
— Juan Toribio (@juanctoribio) February 27, 2024
How to watch Shohei Ohtani’s Dodgers spring training debut
- Date: Tuesday, Feb. 27
- Start time: 3:05 p.m. ET | 12:05 p.m. PT
- TV channel: SportsNet LA
- Live stream: SportsNet app | MLB Network | MLB.TV | Fubo
Ohtani and the Dodgers will face the White Sox at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Ariz., at 3:05 p.m. ET (12:05 p.m. PT).
Fans in the Los Angeles area can stream the game on SportsNet Los Angeles, while others can find the game on the MLB Network. Both channels will be carried by Fubo, which offers a free trial. The game will also be streamed live on MLB.TV.
