The Riverside Press-Enterprise
Ohtani in blue draws ‘oohs’ in Dodger Stadium debut
Shohei Ohtani’s first home exhibition game in blue at Dodger Stadium was a nondescript affair, though his first at-bat featured a brief taste of the excitement expected from the $700 million two-way star.
After walking up to Bruno Mars’ “24K Magic” and its declaration that “it’s show time,” Ohtani made contact on the second pitch he saw. The fly ball initially drews oohs before turning into disappointed ahhs falling into the glove of left fielder Taylor Ward.
Ohtani went 0-for-2 with a walk and a strikeout.
“It was fun,” Angels pitcher Griffin Canning said of facing his former teammate. “Obviously really good to see him. I think once you get in the game, you’re competitive. Like I don’t want to give up a hit to him, and he wants to get a hit off me.”
In Sunday’s late Freeway Series game, Bobby Miller threw 4 2/3 scoreless innings and Gavin Lux had two RBIS as the Dodgers beat the Angels, 5-3.
Miller is slated to pitch again Friday in the second game of the Dodgers’ four-game series with St. Louis.
— Dan Greenspan
Phillies sign lefty Strahm
Left-hander Matt Strahm and the Philadelphia Phillies agreed to a $7.5 million contract for the 2025 season, a deal that includes a team option for 2026.
Strahm also has a $7.5 million salary this year in the final season of a $15 million, two-year contract. He would have been eligible for free agency after the World Series.
Strahm, 32, was 9-5 with a 3.29 ERA and two saves last year in 10 starts and 46 relief appearances. He pitched 5 1/3 scoreless innings over seven postseason games and got a save in the final game of the NL Division Series against Atlanta.
His 2026 option would become guaranteed if he pitches in 60 innings in 2025 and passes a physical at the end of the 2025 season Philadelphia also traded outfielder Jake Cave to Colorado for cash. Cave hit .212 last year with five homers and 21
RBIS in 203 plate appearances over 65 games.
Angels drop Pomeranz
The Angels released veteran pitcher Drew Pomeranz on Sunday.
Pomeranz, a left-hander, had not thrown in the majors since 2021 because of ongoing problems with his elbow. He broke out for the Boston Red Sox in 2017, going 17-6 with a 3.32 ERA, and the Angels signed him to a minor league contract in February in hopes the 35-year-old might be able to rediscover some of that form after four injury-riddled seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers, San Francisco Giants and Padres.
— Dan Greenspan
Dodgers in Japan?
The Dodgers could be back in Asia next year after USA Today reported on Sunday they will face the Chicago Cubs in Tokyo, Japan to open the 2025 season. Roberts said he has heard rumblings to that effect but could not confirm the report.
“I hope we’re included,” Roberts said, “I know there’s nothing finalized yet, but obviously it would make a lot of sense.”
Yankees lose leadoff hitter
New York Yankees leadoff hitter DJ Lemahieu will start the season on the injured list because of a bruised right foot, the latest injury setback for the former batting champion.
The 35-year-old third baseman has been sidelined since fouling a ball off the foot on March 16. He is expected to miss at least the seven-game trip that starts Thursday at Houston. Lemahieu was slowed the past two seasons by an injured right toe.
Gleyber Torres will get time as the leadoff hitter against left-handers, while Alex Verdugo will top the order against right-handers. Oswaldo Cabrera could fill in at third.
Pirates add young righty
The impressive spring training of Jared Jones, a 22-year-old righthanded pitcher, earned him a spot on the Pittsburgh Pirates openingday roster.
Jones did not allow a run across 16 1/3 innings of Grapefruit League play. The second-round pick in the 2020 amateur draft will be part of Pittsburgh’s starting rotation when the team opens in Miami on Thursday. He is scheduled to make his first major league start on Sunday.