All eyes remain on Ohtani and home opener

Shohei Ohtani already made his Dodgers debut last week in South Korea, but all eyes will still be on the two-way sensation as Los Angeles hosts the Cardinals Thursday.

The $700 million star is trying to remain focused on the field after the firing of his longtime interpreter and friend Ippei Mizuhara, who Ohtani said Monday stole money from him to pay off gambling debts.

Mizuhara was fired while the Dodgers were in Seoul last week for a season-opening, two-game series against San Diego. Ohtani, who won't pitch this season while recovering from a second Tommy John surgery, was 3 for 10 with two RBIs as Los Angeles split the Seoul Series.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts posited Tuesday that Mizuhara's absence could be good for Ohtani, saying Mizuhara had been a “buffer” between the Japanese star and his new teammates.

Washed out

Openers in New York and Philadelphia were postponed a day until Friday because of rainy forecasts in both cities.

Pete Alonso and the Mets were scheduled to host the Brewers Thursday afternoon. But with wet weather expected in Queens, the Mets announced the game was pushed back to Friday at 1:40 p.m.

Minutes later, the Phillies announced their sold-out opener against the NL East rival Braves was moved from Thursday at 3:05 p.m. to Friday at the same time because of anticipated rain.

New in town

Several stars are set to debut with new teams. Juan Soto, just 25, was dealt from the Padres to the Yankees over the winter and will slot into the lineup along with Aaron Judge when New York faces Houston. Late in the game, the Astros might counter Soto with Josh Hader, a five-time All-Star closer who signed with Houston in January.

Corbin Burnes is on the mound for Baltimore against the Angels after a Feb. 1 trade from Milwaukee. Matt Chapman should be at third base for the Giants against San Diego, and Rhys Hoskins suits up for the Brewers against the Mets.

Open and close

Several teams are expected to open the season without their injured closers, including the Diamondbacks (Paul Sewald), the Orioles (Félix Bautista), the Brewers (Devin Williams), the Twins (Jhoan Durán) and the Blue Jays (Jordan Romano).

Dodgers spending

Catcher Will Smith and the Dodgers agreed to a $140 million, 10-year contract, raising the team’s spending to nearly $1.4 billion for five key players since December.

Smith’s deal supersedes an $8.85 million, one-year agreement reached in January.

He opened the last week by going 5 for 10 with two RBIs as the Dodgers split a two-game series against San Diego at Seoul.

Mets update

Veteran slugger J.D. Martinez, signed late in spring training, stayed back at the team's complex in Florida when New York broke camp.

The 36-year-old designated hitter is taking simulated at-bats against his new teammates and running the bases as he works his way into game shape.

The former Red Sox will remain in Port St. Lucie, Fla, for at least a week to 10 days, before Martinez and the team determine the next step. He isn't expected to make his Mets debut until at least April 7.

Welcome to bigs

Two of baseball’s top hitting prospects — the Brewers’ Jackson Chourio and the Rangers’ Wyatt Langford — are set to make their big league debuts. Chourio, 20, signed an $82 million, eight-year deal this offseason, the most money guaranteed to a player with no major league experience.

Langford, meanwhile, will reach the majors less than a year after Texas selected him fourth overall in the 2023 amateur draft from the University of Florida.