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France 24
23-06-2025
- Sport
- France 24
Ohtani bags strikeouts, home run as Dodgers rout Nats
Ohtani, making just his second appearance from the mound since undergoing elbow ligament surgery in 2023, bagged two strikeouts in an 18-pitch appearance at Dodger Stadium. The Japanese superstar then followed up that lone inning with a huge offensive performance, blasting a three-run triple and a two-run home run as the Dodgers piled on the runs in the late innings to romp to victory. Ohtani, the reigning National League Most Valuable Player, only returned to pitching last Monday after a near two-year absence. The 30-year-old is being eased back into the pitching rotation by the Dodgers, who have restricted him to two single-inning pitching performances so far. Ohtani tore elbow ligaments just over two years ago and underwent Tommy John surgery, leaving him unable to pitch, although was still able to bat after joining the Dodgers on a 10-year, $700 million contract in December 2023. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Sunday that the team would continue to take a cautious approach with Ohtani's pitching as the season progresses. "Right now, he's good with one inning," Roberts told reporters. "It's just more trying to get a foundation, the building blocks, as he's taking at bats and getting an inning here, and an inning erring on the side of caution. "He's understanding where he's at, and where we're at. As time goes on we'll get to a certain point, but there's no sense in rushing it." Ohtani is widely regarded as a modern-day Babe Ruth, a rarity in baseball in that he combines elite hitting and pitching. Last year he became the first player in history to score 50 home runs and nab 50 stolen bases in a season -- a statistical feat once regarded as unthinkable -- before helping the Dodgers win last year's World Series. Sunday's home run was his 26th of the season, a tally that has helped the Dodgers move to the top of the National League West division.
Newsweek
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
Freddie Freeman Offers 2-Word Response on 'Sad' Dodgers Cuts
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Los Angeles Dodgers seem more vulnerable than they have in a long time. After winning their eighth World Series championship last year, they entered this season as the overwhelming favorites to repeat following another blockbuster offseason of superstar additions. But now, sitting with just a two-game lead in the National League West division after losing four of their last six games, it seems they can be beaten. The Dodgers have suffered a startling amount of pitching injuries already and several of their veteran players are struggling at the plate. As LA looks to right the ship, the front office recently cut the team's two longest-tenured position players. "The elevation of Dalton Rushing to the majors and carving out of a role for Hyeseong Kim last week have improved the Dodgers' roster," Bill Plunkett wrote for The Orange County Register. "But the subtraction of established, well-liked veterans Austin Barnes and Chris Taylor, both long-time members of the Dodgers, has left a hole in the day-to-day life of their former teammates and inevitably alters team chemistry." ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 26: Freddie Freeman #5 of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on from the dugout before a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on March 26,... ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 26: Freddie Freeman #5 of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on from the dugout before a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on March 26, 2024 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by) More Tapia/Getty Barnes had been on the Dodgers for 11 seasons and Taylor for 10, and both were members of the team for its last two championship runs. However, neither was actively contributing from the bench and the pursuit of another title called for the team to move on. Still, it is impacting their former teammates. First baseman Freddie Freeman summed up the feeling with two simple words: "It stinks." "It does suck," Freeman added, per Plunkett. "If you say you're not sad when you lose friends, you're not human. You just get going. You're going to be a little sad but that can't be the reason you go 0-for-4 now." Freeman and his remaining teammates might take some consolation in the fact that the moves opened room for two young and versatile contributors. But losing friends never feels good. More MLB: Cubs Veteran Infielder Elects to Leave Organization, Head to Free Agency
