Shohei Ohtani Plans To 'Act Like A Rookie' In First Spring Training With Dodgers

Spring Training is officially underway, and, on Friday, the Los Angeles Dodgers became the first team to open camp. So naturally, all eyes were on LA's new $700-million man, Shohei Ohtani.

And despite being the most expensive man in sports, the two-way superstar is taking a humble approach to his Dodgers debut.

"I'm on a brand-new team, so I'm going to act like I'm a rookie and try to get along with all the guys, and get along with my teammates," he said.

Ohtani also provided a positive update on his elbow surgery rehab. The reigning American League MVP won't pitch this season after undergoing a procedure to repair a torn UCL in September. But he is still expected to be a designated hitter for the Dodgers in 2024.

As the DH, Ohtani will fill the No. 3 hitter slot, manager Dave Roberts announced at the team's Fan Fest event earlier this month.

The 29-year-old says he's already swinging the bat with 100% effort. The next step is facing the high-velocity pitching machine and live pitchers. Ohtani thinks balancing his hitting and pitching rehab will be easier this year, after already going through this same process in 2019.

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Ohtani signed a record 10-year, $700 million contract earlier this off-season. Thanks to some heavy deferrals, though, he'll only make $2 million annually for the next 10 years. Los Angeles also signed Japanese ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto to a 12-year, $325 million contract — the largest pitching contract in history.

The Dodgers went 100-62 and won the NL West for the 10th time in the last 11 seasons last year — only to get swept in the NL Division Series by the Arizona Diamondbacks. They're hoping Ohtani and Yamamoto are the billion-dollar off-season additions they need to get them over the hump.

The Dodgers will open the regular season against the San Diego Padres in South Korea on March 20-21.