There were dozens of Japanese reporters in attendance as Shohei Ohtani reported to the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday.
While meeting with the media, Mike Scioscia provided some insight into how the Angels see the pitcher-hitter as he enters his first Major League season.
"He's going to get the most looks as a pitcher," Scioscia said. "If he can pitch to his capabilities, that will always influence your team more than what he would do hitting. But that's not to say he won't have a chance to be a difference-maker on the offensive end, too.
"There's a certain novelty to it. You've had Madison Bumgarner swing the bat with the [San Francisco] Giants, but not like we're trying to implement with Shohei. I don't think it's going to be that big of an issue. We need him to pitch. He's a big part of our rotation. Secondary to that, when he has an opportunity to swing the bat, we definitely want to take a look at him."