Lost in Ohtani’s skillset is his pranking ability. The reigning NL MVP trolled manager Dave Roberts last season, buying him a toy Porsche after Ohtani passed Roberts in making club history. Roberts previously held the Dodgers’ record for most home runs by a Japanese-born player, smashing seven from 2002-04.

Ohtani threw a bullpen session Saturday and could face live hitters before the Dodgers face the Cubs in Japan in mid-March.

Ohtani is coming off two surgeries to his elbow within five years, not to mention surgery three months ago to repair a torn labrum in his left (non-throwing) shoulder. And yet there he was throwing free and easy in a new, improved form. It’s just one more reason why Ohtani continues to amaze us.