L.A.’s Ohtani transcends tense history

There remains historic tension and animosity between South Korea and Japan over Japan’s time as a colonizer of South Korea.

Shoehei Ohtani is only a baseball player, but he is also proving to be a bridge across the divide.

Ohtani’s Los Angeles Dodgers were set to open the 2024 MLB season Wednesday morning in Seoul against the San Diego Padres, and tickets for the game — and to see the Japanese superstar — sold out quickly.

“It doesn’t matter if he’s from Japan,” said Yoo Jee-ho, aveteran South Korean sports journalist. “If you’re a baseball fan, you appreciate that kind of talent.”

Fans say they admire his blend of understated charm and herculean athletic prowess, which earned him a record $700 million to play with the Los Angeles Dodgers for 10 years.

Former Pirates prospect Tyler Glasnow is scheduled to start the opener for the Dodgers. They acquired Glasnow in a trade, then signed him to a five-year, $136.25 million contract.

Guardians

Shane Bieber, who has shown signs of being an ace again following an injuryslowed 2023, will start the opener for a fifth season in a row. The 2020 AL Cy Young Award winner, Bieber, 28, has had a solid spring after making just 21 starts last season due to elbow issues. Bieber is 60-32 with a 3.27 ERA in 134 career games.

Reds

Cincinnati is exploring its options after starting center fielder TJ Friedl broke his right wrist on a diving play Saturday. The loss of one of the Reds’ best players is a blow to a team that already expects to start the season without lefthanded starter Nick Lodolo (leg) and relievers Ian Gibaut (forearm) and Alex Young (back).

Braves

Atlanta tabbed Spencer Strider to start its opener against the Phillies. Not only did Strider go 20-5 last season, but he is 8-0 in his career against Philadelphia. In something that was a bit more of a surprise, the team optioned All-Star pitcher Bryce Elder to the minors, deciding to open the season with Reynaldo López as their fifth starter. Elder gave up 11 earned runs and 15 hits in 12 innings this spring.