Coming off a season in which he was not able to pitch because he'd had surgery on his non-throwing shoulder, the Dodgers were not quite sure what to expect from Shohei Ohtani on the mound. As a designated hitter,

Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Dodgers are in Arizona for spring training. While Ohtani is preparing to follow his historic season at the plate, as well as return to the mound where he started 20-plus games three seasons in a row for the Angels, it is important to remember that you can't spend every hour playing baseball.

Shohei Ohtani's presence at Spring Training in Arizona draws international media attention, adding buzz to the Dodgers' practices.

By now most people who follow baseball know that veteran right-hander Nick Martinez is the highest-paid player on the Cincinnati Reds roster this season after becoming the only one of 13 MLB free agents to accept his team’s qualifying offer in November to avoid going to market.

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.

Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto of the LA Dodgers are big names in Japan. Their offseason activities are closely captured as the duo and their dogs have forged a good bond.