Angels' Ohtani plays outfield for 1st time since 2014
It took a blowout for Shohei Ohtani to finally see time at a position other than pitcher.
The Los Angeles Angels' two-way star took his glove to the outfield for the first time in his major-league career late in Saturday's 16-2 loss to the Houston Astros. The Angels had no position players left, so Ohtani moved from his usual designated hitter spot to left field in the eighth inning while catcher Anthony Bemboom pitched.
It marked the first time Ohtani played the outfield since 2014, when he made eight appearances there for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters of Japan's Pacific League.
The 26-year-old cleanly fielded Myles Straw's double, the only ball hit to him during the inning. Ohtani also helped some Houston fans who dropped sunglasses onto the field:
Now Shohei Ohtani is helping folks get their sunglasses back. True pro outfielder move. pic.twitter.com/FoKIKKFEFh
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) April 24, 2021
Manager Joe Maddon said postgame that the move was Ohtani's idea due to the short bench, according to Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times.
Ohtani homered earlier in the game and is now hitting .292/.329/.653 with six home runs, 12 extra-base hits, and 15 RBIs this season.