Shohei Ohtani, a 29-year-old who signed an unprecedented 10-year, $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers last week, was introduced to the media on Thursday.

During a news conference at Dodger Stadium, the two-way superstar, wearing the team’s shirt, expressed his intention to return to Opening Day as a hitter in 2019.

Through a translator, Ohtani stated, “I just saw my contract was 10 years, I’m not sure how long I will be able to play the game, so I do prioritize winning.”

“I chose this team in part because that’s at the top of my list and I probably won’t change.”

The two-time MVP of the American League stated that the Dodgers’ dedication to winning was what made them stand out.

“They said when they looked back at the last ten years, even though they made the playoffs every year and won one World Series ring, they consider that a failure,” Ohtani recalled from his discussion with the Dodgers’ ownership group.

“I knew they were all about winning the moment I heard that. I feel precisely the same way. That is among the things that caught my attention.

“A constant challenger”

Since entering the MLB in 2017, Ohtani has been a member of the Los Angeles Angels. The Japanese celebrity claimed there is always “sadness” when leaving a team, even if they are just going across town.

Ohtani stated, “I feel the same, pretty much the same as I did six years ago going forward with the Dodgers.”

I consider myself to be a constant challenger. I’m always up for a challenge, and as a Dodger, I think I’ll be up against a lot of new ones.

Ohtani will not be able to throw again until 2025 after undergoing elbow surgery this offseason. In contrast to the Tommy John surgery he underwent in 2018, his agent, Nez Balelo, told reporters that the procedure was entirely different and that his client was recuperating considerably more quickly.

The two-way star stated that he believes his hitting will be ready for Opening Day in April 2024.

“I’ve been practicing dry swings for the past week, so as long as I can make it to spring training on time and participate in the exhibition games, I should be ready for Opening Day,” he stated.

The Dodgers will play their first spring training game in Peoria, Arizona on February 22, 2024, against the San Diego Padres.