Japanese baseball player Shohei Ohtani celebrated his return to Japan to kick off the Major League Baseball season. Ohtani, from the Los Angeles Dodgers, participated in a press conference alongside his compatriots Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki before the opening series against the Chicago Cubs at the Tokyo Dome.
"I want the Japanese to see the success of many of their players," Ohtani stated, highlighting the presence of five Japanese players in the MLB. When asked about his expectations, he expressed his desire to contribute to his team's victory in the opening game, avoiding speculation about the possibility of hitting a home run.
Regarding his role as both a hitter and pitcher, Ohtani mentioned that he is excited to play in his home country and hopes to give his best. Accompanied by Yamamoto, who will be the starting pitcher for the Dodgers against the Cubs, he expressed happiness for the opportunity to participate in such a special game, marking the first time two Japanese players face off as starters in an MLB season opener.
On the other hand, Sasaki, also a pitcher for the Dodgers, expressed his excitement about playing in Japan with a different uniform and voiced his desire to perform well on the field. This season marks the sixth occasion that the MLB starts in the Asian country, with a series of exhibition games between the Dodgers, the Cubs, and the local teams Yomiuri Giants and Hanshin Tigers as a warm-up.
In summary, Ohtani and his Japanese teammates hope to provide a high-quality spectacle for baseball fans in Japan, showcasing the level and competitiveness of the MLB in these opening encounters at the Tokyo Dome.
