Ohtani doesn’t disappoint as Japan wins its WBC opener

Shohei Ohtani gave Japan what he’s been giving the Los Angeles Angels for the past five years.

He hit a two-run double at the plate and on the mound allowed just one hit over four innings in hitting and pitching Japan to an 8-1 win against China in a World Baseball Classic Group B opener in Tokyo.

Ohtani struck out five, walked none and retired the first 10 batters he faced.

Other WBC games

Robbie Perkins and Robert Glendinning hit three-run homers to lead

Australia to an 8- 7 win against South Korea in Group B. ... Netherlands improved to 2-0 in Group A as Xander Bogaerts and Jurickson Profar homered in a 3-1 win against Panama. ... In one of the tournament’s early surprises, Cuba fell to 0-2 after losing to Italy, 6-3, in Taichung, Taiwan. Nicky Lopez’s two- run single capped a four-run 10th inning for Italy.

Reds

Hunter Greene will be the opening day starter for Cincinnati when it plays host to the Pirates at Great American Ball Park March 30. Greene, 23, is known to Pirates fans. On May 15 of last season, Greene (7 1/3 IP) and Art Warren threw an eightinning no-hitter against the Pirates at PNC Park, yet lost the game, 1-0 — only the sixth time in MLB history that a team threw a no-hitter and lost.

Phillies

Bryce Harper has joined his teammates at camp in Clearwater, Fla. But Phillies fans should not get their hopes up. He’s hoping to play by the All-Star break after having Tommy John surgery in November. “I could be after, I could be before,” Harper said. “But as right now that’s the date we kind of solidified.”

Rangers

Corey Seager, a year into a 10-year, $325 million deal, has had a good start to his spring with eight hits in his first 18 at-bats, including three homers and eight RBIs. He is coming off a season in which he hit a career-low .243.

Yankees

Pitcher Carlos Rodon, signed to a six-year, $162 million contract in the offseason, will open the season on the injured list with a left forearm strain.