GLENDALE, Ariz. \u2014 There was a little bit of everything at Camelback Ranch: a two-way superstar packing his bags (temporarily), a new slugger settling in, an emotional return to the mound and, oh yeah, another win.<\/p>\n
The Dodgers remained unbeaten in Cactus League play after taking down the Mariners, with early offense and a crisp inning from Alex Vesia highlighting the afternoon.<\/p>\n
But the headliner \u2014 as he has been all spring \u2014 was Shohei Ohtani.<\/p>\n
Ohtani off to WBC after busy final day in camp<\/p>\n
Ohtani left Dodgers camp Sunday \u2014 but not for good. Ohtani threw 33 pitches over two innings of live batting practice, took at-bats in live BP and then addressed the media before preparing to depart for Team Japan ahead of the World Baseball Classic.<\/p>\n
Manager Dave Roberts confirmed the timing.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe is ready to leave. I don\u2019t know if he is leaving today or tomorrow but today was his last day here in Arizona,\u201d Roberts said. \u201cWe\u2019re going to miss him but I\u2019m looking forward to watching him compete for Team Japan.\u201d<\/p>\n
Whether Ohtani will have time to pitch in a Cactus League game \u2014 perhaps during the Freeway Series \u2014 before the regular season remains uncertain.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think some of that is contingent on how deep they go (in the WBC) and when we get him back,\u201d Roberts said. \u201cRight now it\u2019s hard to forecast that.\u201d<\/p>\n
For now, the Dodgers will watch from afar as their two-way star ramps up on the international stage.<\/p>\n
Snell timeline still fluid<\/p>\n
There was no substantive update on Blake Snell beyond the fact that he\u2019s throwing off flat ground.<\/p>\n
With the spring calendar turning quickly, his Opening Day status is increasingly in question \u2014 though the Dodgers aren\u2019t drawing hard lines.<\/p>\n
\u201cTime\u2019s ticking, but like I told him the other day, Opening Day is not necessarily a hard and fast target for us,\u201d Roberts said.<\/p>\n
In other rotation news, Roki Sasaki is expected to make his first spring start Wednesday against the Diamondbacks, and Tyler Glasnow is lined up for Thursday against the White Sox.<\/p>\n
Tucker makes Dodgers debut<\/p>\n
Kyle Tucker\u2019s first Cactus League game in Dodger blue was brief but productive. He grounded out to second in his first at-bat, drew a walk in his second plate appearance and later scored a run before calling it a day. Afterward, Tucker sounded like a player focused less on results and more on rhythm.<\/p>\n
\u201cI felt pretty good today, just making sure I\u2019m ready for whenever the season comes around.\u201d<\/p>\n
As for statistical goals this spring?<\/p>\n
\u201cLast year, I got one hit in Spring so hopefully I get more than that,\u201d Tucker said with a grin.<\/p>\n
Ultimately, it\u2019s about comfort.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs long as I get enough reps, enough comfortability out there, the season is in a few weeks so I\u2019ll be alright.\u201d<\/p>\n
Vesia\u2019s emotional return<\/p>\n
If there was a loudest moment of the afternoon, it belonged to Alex Vesia.<\/p>\n
Dodger fans at Camelback Ranch gave Vesia a warm ovation as he took the mound for his first spring appearance, months removed from the family tragedy he endured during last year\u2019s postseason.<\/p>\n
Vesia rewarded them with a 1-2-3 inning, throwing 17 pitches, striking out one and flashing his signature intensity.<\/p>\n
Interestingly, he admitted the nerves hit earlier in camp.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was more nervous in my first live AB\u2019s because Shohei was like, \u2018Hey, I want a piece of that.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
Facing Ohtani in live BP turned into a competitive highlight.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat was cool. I haven\u2019t competed like that in some time,\u201d Vesia said. \u201cShohei is the most competitive guy I know and I\u2019m ready for it. That was fun.\u201d<\/p>\n
Vesia even struck out Ohtani twice in those sessions \u2014 a spring footnote he\u2019ll happily keep.<\/p>\n
The appetizer before the Dodgers play the Padres later today: Shohei Ohtani and Edwin D\u00edaz live BP at Camelback Ranch. Batters included Muncy, Betts, Freeman and Pages. pic.twitter.com\/HAewicjVkO<\/a><\/p>\n