Ohtani will be DH, not outfielder

The Angels introduced Shohei Ohtani on Saturday after they won the fierce baseball- wide competition for the two- way Japanese star.

A lively crowd in front of Angel Stadium cheered when Ohtani donned a red jersey and hat on a stage with team owner Arte Moreno, general manager Billy Eppler and manager Mike Scioscia.

Ohtani, 23, is attempting to become the majors’ most significant two- way player in several decades. He is expected to join the Angels’ starting rotation next season, and he will be their designated hitter on many days when he isn’t pitching, Scioscia said.

Ohtani won’t play in the outfield “at the outset” of his career, which likely includes at least next season, Eppler said. The GM also said the team is “very openminded” to using a six- man rotation. In Japan, Ohtani pitched once a week.

This and that

The Rangers signed freeagent shortstop Yenci Pena, one of the 13 prospects taken from the Braves as punishment for circumventing international signing rules, according to the Associated Press.

◆ Pirates general manager Neal Huntington said re- signing center fielder Andrew McCutchen and trying to win championships “are contradictory goals.” McCutchen is entering the last year of his contract.

◆ After missing out on Giancarlo Stanton, the Cardinals are expected to make a run at two of his former Marlins teammates, outfielders Marcell Ozuna and Christian Yelich, according to ESPN.