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Full day of MLB openers include St. Louis in LA; Cubs at Texas

The first full day of Major League Baseball happens today. Here are some things to watch for:

Shohei Ohtani already made his Dodgers debut last week in South Korea, but all eyes will still be on the two-way sensation as Los Angeles hosts the St. Louis Cardinals. The $700 million star is trying to remain focused on the field after the firing of his longtime interpreter and friend Ippei Mizuhara, who Ohtani said Monday stole money from him to pay off gambling debts. Mizuhara was fired while the Dodgers were in Seoul last week for a season-opening, two-game series against San Diego.

Ohtani, who won’t pitch this season while recovering from a second Tommy John surgery, was 3 for 10 with two RBIs as Los Angeles split the Seoul Series. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts posited Tuesday that Mizuhara’s absence could be good for Ohtani, saying Mizuhara had been a “buffer” between the Japanese star and his new teammates.

World Series MVP Corey Seager and the defending champion Texas Rangers open at home with Nathan Eovaldi on the mound against Cody Bellinger and the Chicago Cubs.

Coming off their surprising run to the National League pennant, Zac Gallen and the Diamondbacks host Colorado.

Arizona made a late splash at the very end of spring training, boosting its rotation by agreeing Tuesday with free-agent pitcher Jordan Montgomery on a $25 million, one-year contract that includes a vesting option for 2025. The deal was subject to a successful physical.

When the Phillies and Braves get going Friday, right-handers Zack Wheeler and Spencer Strider square off in a juicy NL East matchup.

Wheeler is pitching with a new contract after agreeing to a $126 million, three-year deal for 2025-27 this spring. The 33-year-old could’ve become a free agent after this season, but instead he recommitted to Philadelphia, where he’s been among the game’s best since joining the club as a free agent for the 2020 season.

Openers in New York and Philadelphia were postponed a day until Friday because of rainy forecasts in both cities. Pete Alonso and the New York Mets were scheduled to host the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday afternoon. Meanwhile, the Mets get back All-Star closer Edwin Díaz after he missed last season following knee surgery. 



(AP Photo Ashley Landis)
10 hours ago