Dodgers superstars set to square off in mega-hyped matchup

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani.

There will be extra buzz at Los Angeles Dodgers camp on Thursday, as one of the most hyped live batting practice matchups in recent memory is slated to take place.

The Dodgers continued their semi-annual offseason spending spree over the winter, bringing in starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow, power-hitting outfielder Teoscar Hernandez and re-signing franchise icon Clayton Kershaw, among other moves.

The two biggest prizes were reeled in within weeks of each other in December, however, in Japanese ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto and reigning AL MVP and two-way stud Shohei Ohtani. The latter will be limited to designated hitting duties in 2024 but will slide into an everyday role in the middle of the Dodgers stacked lineup.

Ohtani inked a 10-year, $700 million deal with manager Dave Roberts’ club on Dec. 11, leaving the crosstown Los Angeles Angels after spending all six seasons of his career with the Halos.

Yamamoto officially joined Los Angeles on Dec. 27 with a 12-year, $325M contract, which, combined with his countryman’s numbers, amount to 22 years worth $1.025 billion.

Per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic, Yamamoto was inducing some “ugly swings” during his live batting practice and his “breaking ball (was) getting whiffs.”

Luckily for Ohtani, he won’t have to face the 25-year-old right-hander during the regular season.

It was reported this week that Roberts was expecting Yamamoto and Glasnow to pitch the team’s two season-opening games against the San Diego Padres in March.

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