(Glendale) Shohei Ohtani had his first batting practice with a real pitcher at Los Angeles Dodgers camp Monday.
Most valuable player of the American on two occasions, Ohtani signed a 10-year, 700 million contract with the Dodgers.
He played his first six seasons with the other Los Angeles club, the Angels.
Brilliant on the mound and at the plate, he will not pitch this season, however.
Ohtani had surgery on his right elbow in September, but he hopes to be ready for the start of the campaign as a hitter.
On Sunday, manager Dave Roberts said Ohtani will not play in his team’s Cactus League opener Thursday against the San Diego Padres.
The Dodgers will begin their regular season against the same Padres on March 20 in Seoul.
Last season, Ohtani posted a .304 batting average in 135 games, leading the American with 44 home runs.