Ohtani reports to Angels with physical, swings and long toss
TEMPE, ARIZ. » Shohei Ohtani came onto the field with a bat in his hand after taking some swings in the cage, on his way to throw some long toss with his full-time interpreter.
That was after the two-way standout from Japan had already taken a physical and unloaded some gear into his locker in the Los Angeles Angels clubhouse.
While Ohtani had already been working out at the team’s Arizona complex for a week, Tuesday was the reporting day for Angels pitchers and catchers. The main attraction was Ohtani, who is already busy in his first major league spring training.
“Shohei is going to have a little longer day than most of our pitchers,” manager Mike Scioscia said. “But it shouldn’t be anything that he hasn’t done before, and he’ll be ready to go.”
The 23-year-old Ohtani may be used to such a routine after five seasons playing professionally in Japan, but things are already much different for the Angels at spring training.
Just moments after Scioscia was asked a question about Ohtani’s physical, the player entered the field from a gate in the right-field corner, not far from where Scioscia stood.
“I guess his physical’s OK. He’s here,” Scioscia said after calling out to Ohtani and briefly greeting his new starting pitcher — and hitter too.
“We don’t anticipate any issues,” Scioscia said. “He’s been throwing and hitting, and he’s in great shape.”
Asked if he knew any Japanese, Scioscia said he’s sure he’ll pick some up but that “a lot of baseball’s universal.”
Utley appears headed back to Dodgers
GLENDALE, ARIZ. » Chase Utley appears headed back to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The free-agent infielder’s gloves and cleats were in the Dodgers clubhouse on Tuesday and mail addressed to him was in a dressing stall.
“We’re hopeful,” manager Dave Roberts said. “Chase is great. I’ll talk more about him, maybe in a couple of days.”
The 39-year-old second baseman, a sixtime All-Star, hit .236 last year for the Dodgers with eight homers and 34 RBIs in 309 atbats. Acquired from the Phillies in August 2015, he signed a $7 million deal for the following season and had a $2 million base salary last season, when he earned an additional $250,000 in bonuses.
A’s Maxwell won’t kneel for anthem
MESA, ARIZ. » Oakland Athletics catcher Bruce Maxwell says he no longer will kneel for the national anthem as he did last season as a rookie, when he became the first major leaguer to do so following the lead of many NFL players.
He spoke Tuesday as the A’s pitchers and catchers reported to spring training.
He says “the purpose of the gesture was to raise awareness about social issues affecting our country, and while I’m looking forward to a society that is inclusive, empathetic and a welcoming place, I will not continue the symbolic gesture of taking a knee during our national anthem this season.”
Padres’ Torres absent due to charges
PHOENIX » The Padres placed reliever Jose Torres on the restricted list and say he won’t report for spring training with the team in Arizona because of a pending court case stemming from his arrest in Phoenix in December.
The Padres said in a statement that the team is aware of the allegations against Torres, takes “this matter very seriously” and is cooperating with an investigation being conducted by Commissioner Rob Manfred’s office.
Torres pleaded not guilty Jan. 9 in Maricopa County Superior Court in Phoenix to charges in a Dec. 29 indictment: felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon or dangerous incident and misdemeanor recklessly defacing or damaging property of another person.