Breaking: 29 years old signed a $700 million, 10-year contract deal with the Dodgers

Shohei Ohtani takes live batting practice with Dodgers in his latest step forward in comeback from surgery

Ohtani signed a $700 million, 10-year contract with the Dodgers after spending his first six seasons with the Los Angeles Angels

The two-way player won’t be pitching this season after right elbow surgery in September, but he’s hoping to be ready for the start of the season as a hitter.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Sunday that Ohtani won’t play in the Dodgers’ Cactus League opener Thursday against San Diego.

The Dodgers open the season March 20 against the Padres in Seoul, South Korea.

Ohtani, 29, batted .304 in 135 games last season and led the AL in homers (44), on-base percentage (.412), slugging percentage (.654), OPS (1.066) and total bases (325) while winning his second MVP award.

He also was voted MVP in 2021 and finished second in 2022.

Dodgers Manager Confirms Former Top Prospect is Still Part of Team’s Future

Entering the 2023 season, Dodgers prospect Miguel Vargas was primed for a breakout. Many expected him to take the next step toward becoming an everyday player for Los Angeles, but fate had other ideas. Vargas struggled heavily during his time in the big leagues, hitting just .195 with an OPS of .672. It was tough going for the former top prospect, especially after he dominated the minor leagues with a .310 batting average. However, even with his struggles at the plate last season, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts still believes in him.

He confirmed that Vargas is still part of the team’s plans going forward. “Last year was certainly a learning experience for him. I think he even said, at some point, he lost some confidence,” Roberts said. “But this spring, he looks fantastic. And I don’t know how it’s gonna play out when we break camp. But Miguel is still a big part of what we’re doing now, and going forward.” — Dave Roberts via the Southern California News Group Vargas will be looking for a big bounce back this year, but nothing is guaranteed for him. The roster seems full at this point, but a productive Spring Training could swing things in his direction.

All Vargas can do is control what he can control — which is himself. If he can produce, the Dodgers will give him another shot at the big leagues. And if that happens, hopefully, he can make it worth his while this time.

Trout says he wants to stay with Angels, Rendon discusses where baseball ranks on his priority list

Mike Trout discussed his future and Anthony Rendon talked about his priorities as the two Los Angeles Angels veterans made some interesting comments Monday with hitters reporting to spring training camps across Arizona and Florida.

Trout, a three-time MVP and 11-time All-Star who has played in only one postseason series, said he has no interest in requesting a trade even as the Angels retool following two-time MVP Shohei Ohtani’s move to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The 32-year-old Trout has spent his entire 13-year career with the Angels and signed a 12-year, $426.5 million contract with them in 2019. The Angels went 73-89 last year for their eighth consecutive losing season. They haven’t reached the playoffs since 2014, when they were swept by the Kansas City Royals in the divisional round.

“I think the easy way out is to ask for a trade,” Trout told reporters, including The Athletic. “There might be a time, maybe. I really haven’t thought about this. When I signed that contract, I’m loyal. I want to win a championship here. The overall picture of winning a championship or getting to the playoffs here is the bigger satisfaction than bailing out or taking the easy way out. I think that’s been my mindset. Maybe down the road, if some things change.”

Trout says he has continued to push owner Arte Moreno and upper management for free-agent additions that can boost the Angels following the departure of Ohtani, who signed a $10-year, $700 million deal with the Dodgers.