Angels’ Ohtani keeps ’em guessing

Closed-door workouts spark doubts about reports of his recovery

TEMPE, ARIZ.— Word is that Shohei Ohtani is hitting baseballs with the force of an all-star in midseason form. But the promising reports of his recovery are more rumours than established facts at this point.

Ohtani is simultaneously everywhere and nowhere this spring, the ever-present Japanese media a visible reminder of his presence while he works out exclusively behind closed doors.

The 20 or so reporters here to cover Ohtani assemble every morning by a railing in the right field corner of Tempe Diablo Stadium that overlooks the adjacent parking lot.

The crowd watches Ohtani make the short walk to the indoor batting cages or weight room, which are on the other side of the outfield wall, and waits for him to re-emerge from the structures.

Three television cameras recorded Ohtani’s 300-foot treks to and from the batting cages Saturday. Several photographers snapped pictures.

Before the Angels opened their exhibition season with a 10-3 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Saturday, Ohtani batted off a tee for only the second time since his reconstructive elbow operation nearly five months earlier.

The American League rookie of the year as a two-way player last season, he will be limited to hitting this year. He won’t pitch until 2020.

The reclusive nature of his workouts has created a sense of uncertainty, with the Angels providing a conservative timeline that projects him to be game-ready in May.

Ohtani said he thought he could graduate to soft-toss drills in the next week or so, but declined to make any guesses beyond that.

Ohtani was the source of a different kind of uncertainty last year, when observers wondered whether he belonged in the major leagues. His earned-run average in the exhibition season was 27.00. He batted .125.

His self-assurance was shaken enough to where he solicited advice from countryman Ichiro Suzuki of the Seattle Mariners.

Suzuki offered to coach him over a video call, but Ohtani instead showed up at Suzuki’s rental property with a bat in hand. More than the technical pointers he received, Ohtani treasured how Suzuki told him to have more faith in his talent, as well as the experience he gained over five professional seasons in his homeland.

There is no crisis in confidence this spring, even if Ohtani is headed into the unknown again.

In only 366 plate appearances last season, he batted .285 with 22 home runs and 61 runs batted in.

“More than confidence, it’s feeling acclimated, knowing the opposing pitchers, knowing how they are going to attack me,” he said in Japanese.

He is clearly more comfortable in this environment, which was entirely new to him last spring.

Manager Brad Ausmus said he has made it a point to check in daily with Ohtani because sidelined players often feel as if they are not part of the team.

But Ohtani doesn’t seem to have that problem. Simmons marvelled at how Ohtani has remained upbeat.

“He’s taking it really well, I think,” Simmons said. “He looks in good spirits.”