This week marked the Los Angeles Dodgers’ first full team practice of Spring Training, and most players appear to be doing well overall.

This spring, all eyes were on Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Shohei Ohtani, and both have exceeded early projections by shining in their bullpen and hitting sessions, respectively. In addition, Yamamoto has had to get acclimated to playing with a ball that is different from what he used in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB)—an MLB ball—and the new rosin.

The Dodgers will play their Cactus League opener against the San Diego Padres in one week, and they will begin their season in Seoul, South Korea, in slightly over a month. Here are the most recent notes and updates from Camelback Ranch’s Spring Training as the games get closer.

Updates on Dodgers Spring Training Soon, Shohei Ohtani will begin live batting practice. Ohtani is on track to be ready for Opening Day in South Korea as he heals from his offseason elbow surgery.

Before beginning on-field batting practice earlier this week, he began hitting against a pitching machine as one of the first players to report at Camelback Ranch. Now, Ohtani is getting closer to participating in live batting practice, as reported by MLB.com’s Juan Toribio:For Ohtani, taking swings during a live batting practice would be a significant improvement in his recuperation. The 29-year-old is making more progress than expected in his preparation to be the 2024 team’s designated hitter. Yoshinobu Yamamoto during a live batting drill Yamamoto has already made an impression on coaches and teammates, but only in controlled bullpen sessions. According to Toribio, his next move is to start throwing to hitters during this weekend’s live batting practice on the field: With Yamamoto expected to be an ace in the rotation, the Dodgers intend to start him in one of their first two games in South Korea. He could have to acclimate to a new league and schedule, though, so there might be a learning curve. Are Chris Taylor and Miguel Vargas switching roles? Miguel Vargas was the Dodgers’ starting second baseman going into the 2023 season, but he reported to camp this year as a left fielder. In 2024, Mookie Betts is anticipated to be the Dodgers starting second baseman. According to Toribio, Vargas has been working out with the outfielders since switching to left field. This spring, he even got some advice from Andre Ethier:Although Taylor will probably be used as a utility player, he only appeared in three games at second base in 2023—the fewest of any position he has played at. Thirty-eight-year-old played thirty-seven games at shortstop, twenty-eight at third base, and five at center field. Gavin Lux hits a grand slam Gavin Lux suffered a ruptured ACL and LCL in his right knee early in Spring Training, ending his hopes of being the Dodgers starting shortstop in 2023. All baseball-related activities were permitted for lLx until he reintegrates into his planned role. Lux stunneԀ everyоne in аttenԀаnce оn ThursԀаy Ԁuring а live bаtting prаctice by hitting а hоme run оff Ԁаniel HuԀsоn.This season, Lux wants to get back on track and advance even further. He batted.276/.346/.399 in 129 games as the starting second baseman in 2022, with 33 extra-base hits.