In first information convention with Dodgers, Shohei Ohtani dodges questions on Tommy John surgical procedure
LOS ANGELES — Shohei Ohtani opened his first information convention with the Los Angeles Dodgers by dodging questions on whether or not he had a second Tommy John surgical procedure.
“It was a procedure. I’m not sure what it was called,” Ohtani stated Thursday.
Speaking to media for the primary time since Aug. 9, he additionally refused to say what different groups he negotiated with earlier than the settlement final weekend on a report $700 million contract.
“I just can’t wait to join the team and get it going,” he stated via translator Ippei Mizuhara.
Ohtani did, nonetheless, reveal the title of his canine, seen on his lap when he appeared on the MLB Network for the announcement of his second MVP award on Nov. 16. The canine has the American title “Decoy” but additionally has a Japanese title.
He wore a navy enterprise go well with with a white shirt and blue tie, took off the jacket and placed on a Dodgers residence jersey with No. 17 after which the blue cap with the interlocking L&A. He took off the cap earlier than talking.
He was impressed when Dodgers officers advised them they thought of the final decade a failure as a result of the workforce gained just one World Series title.
An digital signal flashed “Welcome to the Dodgers, Shohei Ohtani” in English and Japanese above the stage. Ohtani thanked controlling proprietor Mark Walter, workforce president Stan Kasten, president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman, common supervisor Brandon Gomes and supervisor Dave Roberts.
“Shohei is arguably the most-talented player who has ever played this game,” Friedman stated, flanked by Ohtani and Walter. “One of our goals is to have baseball fans in Japan convert to Dodger blue.”
A novel two-way star as each a hitter and pitcher, the 29-year-old Japanese sensation left the Los Angeles Angels as a free agent after six years. He’s transferring 30 miles up Interstate 5 after the Dodgers gained out over the competitors by providing a $700 million, 10-year contract in a deal introduced Monday.
Ohtani additionally thanked the Angels.
“It was a fun ride, great ride,” he stated.
Ohtani‘s news conference started shortly after 3 p.m. (8 a.m. Friday in Japan).
It was Ohtani‘s first time speaking with the media since Aug. 9, two weeks before a pitching injury that required surgery and will keep him off the mound until 2025. He had the operation on Sept. 19, but the nature of the surgery was not fully announced. Ohtani had Tommy John surgery on Oct. 1, 2018.
The two-time AL MVP has a .274 batting average with 171 homers, 437 RBIs and 86 stolen bases along with a 39-19 record with a 3.01 ERA and 608 strikeouts in 481 2/3 innings. Ohtani has 34.7 Wins Above Replacement (WAR), per Baseball Reference.
“He’s received that edge the place he’s not afraid of any pitcher,” Dodgers reliever Joe Kelly stated Wednesday. “Especially in the playoffs, you need a guy like that who obviously is not afraid and wants to be the star in a big moment.”
Ohtani’s uncommon contract requires annual salaries of $70 million and of every yr’s wage, $68 million is deferred with no curiosity, payable in equal installments every July 1 from 2034-43. He can also choose out of the deal if both Walter or Friedman now not is with the workforce, an individual advised The Associated Press on situation of anonymity as a result of the phrases weren’t introduced.
“I just wanted a safety net,” he stated.
Kelly is switching uniform numbers, opening No. 17 for Ohtani.
“Our goal is the World Series every year,” Kelly stated, “so if you could put in players who aren’t afraid of the moment, it goes a long way here.”
