Ohtani to begin throwing soon, could play in field
Shohei Ohtani may be more than just a designated hitter this season, after all.
Los Angeles Dodgers manager
Dave Roberts said
Monday that Ohtani
— ruled out this year as a pitcher after his second surgery on his right elbow — will soon start a throwing program that might allow him to play in the field this season.
“Shohei this year is primarily going to be the designated hitter,” Roberts said. “Once we get back to the States, he is going to start his throwing program, which he hasn’t started yet. We’ll see
how that progression goes. If his arm is healthy enough, we’ll have that conversation in the field. I do know he’s not going to pitch this year.”
It’s the first sign that Ohtani may do more than just DH after signing a $700 million, 10-year contract with the Dodgers. Of course, when he might play in the field is unclear — or if it happens at all.
■ YANKEES: New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge is expected to play in Wednesday night’s exhibition against Pittsburgh after an eight-day layoff caused by an abdominal injury while leadoff hitter DJ LeMahieu’s status for opening day is unclear because of a hurt foot.
Judge hasn’t taken batting practice on the infield or played since March 10, when he struck out in both at-bats against Atlanta. He has hit off a tee, did soft toss and taken batting practice against a pitching machine in an indoor cage.
Manager Aaron Boone described the team’s approach as cautious.
“Don’t want this to turn into something realm,” he said.
LeMahieu fouled a ball off his right foot on Saturday and a CT scan found no break. He will be evaluated every two to three days.
Boone said LeMahieu playing in the March 28 opener at Houston is “certainly reasonable.”
“He got a really good report from from the X-ray and CT scan,” Boone said.