GLENDALE, Ariz.: Shohei Ohtani’s dwelling within the Los Angeles Dodgers batting order would be the No. 2 spot — not less than for now.

“Just seeing Shohei in the lineup makes us a lot better,” Dodgers supervisor Dave Roberts stated Tuesday. “There’s been a lot of anticipation, so we’re excited.”

The two-way Japanese star is predicted to get two or three plate appearances Tuesday when he makes his exhibition debut with Dodgers towards the Chicago White Sox. He’s within the second spot of the lineup, sandwiched between Mookie Betts, who’s the leadoff hitter, and Freddie Freeman.

Roberts stated all three stars had been receptive to the Betts-Ohtani-Freeman lineup development. The supervisor added that having Ohtani on the No. 2 spot wasn’t “set in stone,” but it surely’s one thing he desires to strive for some time throughout spring coaching.

“I feel that having Shohei hitting in front of Freddie gives Shohei a lot of protection,” Roberts stated.

The might be Ohtani’s first recreation motion since signing a document $700 million, 10-year contract in the course of the offseason — and since proper elbow surgical procedure in September that can preserve the two-time MVP from pitching this yr. He’ll be the designated hitter, a job he’s anticipated to fill all season.

Ohtani has appeared sharp in observe this spring and took stay batting observe on Sunday. Roberts has stated Ohtani will dictate what number of at-bats he will get Tuesday, however he anticipated him to return up two or thrice.

The 29-year-old Ohtani is additional alongside in his restoration than Los Angeles anticipated, and the group hopes he might be obtainable when the Dodgers and the San Diego Padres play a two-game sequence in Seoul, South Korea, on March 20 and 21 to begin the common season.

“Most importantly is his health,” Roberts instructed reporters this week. “So if it lines up, great. And if it doesn’t, then we’ll still move on from there.”

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

(This story has not been edited by News18 workers and is printed from a syndicated information company feed – Associated Press)