Otani Oh My

Probably more than any other player, baseball fans – and fantasy owners – have been anxious to get a look at Shohei Ohtani this spring. The Japanese two-way star debuted as a pitcher on Saturday. On Monday it was his time for his debut as a hitter.

Batting second and serving as the Angels’ designated hitter against the Padres, Ohtani reached base in all three plate appearances. He battled back from an 0-2 count against Jordan Lyles in his first trip to the dish to draw a walk and also reached base on a walk versus Buddy Baumann in his second try. In the fifth inning, Ohtani slapped the first pitch he saw from Michael Mariot up the middle for an RBI single. He was then lifted for a pinch-runner.

"I was able to see a lot of pitches and that was really good,'' Ohtani said. "I just want to keep it going. I'm seeing the ball pretty well right now. Hopefully, I can have better at-bats. I think this goes for almost every player, but my hitting is always ahead of my pitching at this point in the year. It's just like any other year."

Ohtani’s primary value to the Angels is almost surely going to come as a pitcher, as the 23-year-old is viewed as a potential No. 1 starter. The club plans to utilize a six-man rotation this season in part so that Ohtani can continue to pitch primarily on five days’ rest as he did in Japan.

How Ohtani is used and ultimately fares as a hitter is viewed as more of a question mark. He put up big numbers at the plate overseas – including a .332/.403/.540 line over 231 plate appearances in his last season with the Nippon Ham Fighters – and has big raw power. However, the feeling is that the hitting talent is behind the power. The Angels have said Ohtani won’t play the outfield this season and instead will be used only in the DH spot when he’s in the lineup. How often he’s penciled into that lineup is yet to be determined.

Ohtani is changing the fantasy game and could be a game-changing talent on the field, as well. His next start – on the mound – will come on Friday.

Martinez Officially Joins Red Sox

It took a lot longer than expected, but J.D. Martinez is finally a member of the Boston Red Sox.

After an offseason filled with flirtation and rumors connecting the two sides, Martinez and the Red Sox agreed to terms on a five-year, $110 million contract last Monday. However, the pact didn’t become official for another week, as language in the deal had to re-worked to protect the team in the event Martinez aggravates an old foot injury. He was introduced at a press conference Monday.

"It's been a long process, and I'm happy to put everything behind me and be here today and finally go out and just play baseball," said Martinez. "I'm excited for the task at hand. I know this is a historic franchise and for this organization, winning is No. 1 and bringing a championship back to Boston is the ultimate goal. And I'm happy to now be part of it."

The Red Sox made the postseason last year but were a club largely lacking power, having finished at the bottom of the American League in home runs. Martinez provides pop in spades, as he slugged a whopping 45 bombs over just 489 plate appearances in 2017 and posted a ridiculous .690 slugging percentage. He’s surely not going to go deep once every 10.87 plate appearances again, but he’ll find the seats plenty as long as he stays healthy.

Seven hundred of Martinez’s 735 career starts have come in the outfield, but with Andrew Benintendi, Jackie Bradley and Mookie Betts around, he’ll function primarily as the Red Sox’ designated hitter in 2018. Keeping Martinez largely away from the defensive aspect of the game is a good thing not only because he’s a poor defender, but it should also help him stay healthy. That’s big for a guy who has missed significant time with injury in three of the last four seasons.

Martinez – who has opt outs in his new contract after the second, third and fourth years – will either bat third or fourth for the Red Sox, manager Alex Cora said Monday. There will be plenty of opportunities for him to drive in runs and he enters the season firmly as a top-10 fantasy outfielder.

With Martinez occupying the DH spot, Hanley Ramirez will now be used regularly at first base, a position he wasn’t really able to play last season because of shoulder issues. He’s healthy now, though, and Cora mentioned before the Martinez signing was official that he planned to hit Ramirez third. Ramirez has been frustratingly inconsistent during his time in Boston, having put up a big 2016 season sandwiched in between two disappointing seasons in 2015 and 2017. The 34-year-old could bounce back now that he’s healthy, but he’s no safe bet and also has to fend off Mitch Moreland for playing time.


Quick Hits: Felix Hernandez left Monday’s start against the Cubs when he was hit in the right forearm with a line drive, but X-rays came back negative … MLB.com's Jon Morosi has reported that the Angels "would consider" Greg Holland at the right price … The Blue Jays announced their deal with Seung Hwan Oh on Monday and designated Ezequiel Carrera for assignment in a corresponding move … Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Aaron Judge (shoulder) will likely make his spring debut on Wednesday … Scott Kingery went 3-for-3 with a game-tying home run in the ninth inning of Monday’s loss to the Yankees … Miguel Andujar had an RBI double and walk-off solo home run Monday versus the Phillies … Noah Syndergaard was perfect for two innings Monday against an Astros, regularly hitting 100 mph on the radar gun … Michael Kopech struck out three batters over two shutout innings Monday and hit triple digits on the radar gun … Mets manager Mickey Callaway said Monday that the MRI on Dominic Smith's left quad came back "OK" … Odubel Herrera has been slowed by a sore right shoulder early on in Phillies camp, but he and the team say it’s minor … Francisco Mejia hit a two-run homer in the Indians' Cactus League loss to the Brewers on Monday … Yuli Gurriel was scratched from Monday's lineup with left wrist discomfort … Athletics manager Bob Melvin said Monday that Matt Chapman (hand) will resume hitting in a few days … The Mets signed A.J. Griffin to a minor league contract Monday … Franchy Cordero went 2-for-3 with an inside-the-park home run in the Padres' Cactus League loss to the Angels on Monday … Whit Merrifield doubled and homered in the Royals' Cactus League win over the Giants on Monday … Paul Goldschmidt went 2-for-2 with a solo homer and two runs scored in the Diamondbacks' win over the Rockies on Monday … Clint Frazier has been diagnosed with a concussion … Yuli Gurriel was scratched from Monday's lineup with left wrist discomfort … Kyle Tucker went 2-for-2 and hit a two-run homer to lead an Astros split-squad past the Mets … White Sox third base prospect Jake Burger suffered a left Achilles injury Monday versus the A’s … Kevin Gausman suffered a cut near his left eye in a collision with Jeimer Candelario Monday. Candelario was diagnosed with a bruised left knee … Luiz Gohara (groin) threw a bullpen session with no issues Monday … Andrew Bailey announced his retirement from baseball Monday …