Ohtani gives up homer in first start for Angels
Shohei Ohtani didn’t quite dazzle in his spring pitching debut with the Los Angeles Angels.
Maybe things will change when he swings the bat for the first time in a Cactus League game.
The star two-way player from Japan had mixed results in his first big league mound appearance Saturday, when he allowed a home run and didn’t make it through his scheduled two innings in a 6-5 victory against the Milwaukee Brewers.
The 23-year-old righthander threw some nice pitches, including a fastball clocked at 97 mph, and a curveball that came across at 69 mph.
But he also struggled with his fastball command in allowing two runs, one earned, and two hits in 1⅓ innings. Keon Broxton tagged him for a home run leading off the second inning.
“Besides the results, I mean, I had a lot of fun out there, so I think it went all well,” Ohtani said through a translator.
He struck out two and walked one. He threw 31 pitches, 17 for strikes.
Manager Mike Scioscia said Ohtani will hit early in the week, as the designated hitter.
“It was great to see him,” Scioscia said. “I think he did enough to where we certainly learned some things . ... He threw all his pitches. Some were really what we would expect him to be and some he just lost his release point on. But it’s a step forward, for sure.”
Ohtani, who will be under the contractual control for six years, signed a minor league contract and can receive up to $2,315,000 in international bonus money from the Angels.
Phillies: Third baseman Will Middlebrooks was carted off the field after injuring his ankle when he collided with left fielder Andrew Pullin chasing a fly ball in Saturday’s 9-6 win over the Orioles.
Rays: Top pitching prospect Brent Honeywell has a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right arm and will have Tommy John surgery, sidelining him for the entire season. The 22-yearold right-hander was hurt during a live batting practice session Thursday. Honeywell was 12-8 with a 3.64 ERA in 24 starts for Triple-A Durham last season.
Reds: Left-hander Oliver Perez was signed to a minor league contract. Perez made 50 appearances with the Nationals last year, pitching 33 innings with a 4.64 ERA.
Yankees: Minor league infielder Thairo Estrada is increasing his workout program after being shot in the right thigh area during a robbery attempt last month but may not be ready for the start of the season. Estrada, 22, was entering a restaurant with his wife in his hometown of Bejuma, Venezuela, when the incident took place. Estrada hit .301 with six homers and 48 RBIs in 122 games last season with Double-A Trenton.
MLBPA: Union leader Tony Clark says major league players remain concerned about the unusual amount of unsigned free agents with spring training nearing the end of its second week. About one-third of the 166 players who exercised free agency rights in November have not reached a contract agreement with a team. That includes stars such as former Cubs right-hander Jake Arrieta and former Royals third baseman Mike Moustakas.
Friday’s Games Saturday’s Games
(At) 76ers 116, Magic 105: Center Joel Embiid scored 28 points and grabbed 14 rebounds to power Philadelphia to its seventh straight victory. Five other Sixers scored in double figures, led by Ben Simmons with 17 points and seven assists, during Philly’s 10th straight home win. Aaron Gordon led Orlando with 20 points, seven rebounds and seven assists.
(At) Heat 115, Grizzlies 89: Tyler Johnson scored 23 points to lead six players in double figures, and Miami Heat stopped a three-game slide. The Grizzlies lost their ninth in a row, the longest active streak in the NBA, and their second in as many nights.
Celtics 121, (at) Knicks: Kyrie Irving had 21 points, nine rebounds and eight assists to power Boston.
Thunder at Warriors: Late
Bulls at Timberwolves: Late
Mavericks at Jazz: Late
Trail Blazers at Suns: Late
Lakers at Kings: Late
NBA notes
Timberwolves: All-Star guard Jimmy Butler had an MRI Saturday that revealed a meniscus injury to his right knee. Minnesota did not provide a timeline for Butler’s absence, but it is likely good news that it is a cartilage injury, and not a ligament. Butler was hurt Friday night in a 120-102 loss at Houston.
Grizzlies: Guard Tyreke Evans will undergo a precautionary MRI today on injured ribs that forced him to miss Memphis’ loss Saturday at Miami. Coach J.B. Bickerstaff said he doesn’t anticipate a long absence for Evans, who is averaging a teamhigh 19.4 points per game.