Ohtani tagged for 6 runs against Mexican minor-league team

Spring training results are no reason to sound any alarm bells, but Shohei Ohtani's most recent performance on the mound is proof that he remains a work in progress.

The Los Angeles Angels two-way star got roughed up by Mexican minor-league team Tijuana Toros on Friday, allowing six runs off five hits (one home run), two hit batters, and a walk over three innings, though he still managed to strike out six.

"I felt like I made a lot of good pitches and quite a few bad ones," Ohtani said, according to Jeff Fletcher of the Los Angeles Daily News.

"Adjustments need to be made with the ball and the mound and everything. That may be some of the reasons I'm getting hit."

The Angels have limited Ohtani to just one Cactus League start but he has pitched against minor-league competition, allowing 10 runs in six innings while striking out 16. He has faced major-league teams at the plate, but hasn't fared much better with the bat, going 1-for-11 with four walks and three strikeouts.

Despite the early struggles, though, Ohtani is confident he'll be fine once the regular season opens and trusts in the process he has in place.

"At this point, I feel like I'm taking the right steps forward," he said. "Over the last few years, I've gotten where I need to be. I think I'll be ready."