designated hitter

April 2022: Playing for the Cincinnati Reds, Pham challenged Luke Voit to a fight after the Padres designated hitter collided with Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson on a play at the plate.

But neither Ohtani nor the Dodgers want him to miss time as the team’s everyday designated hitter in order to go out on such a rehab stint.

Outfielder Lawrence Butler and designated hitter Brent Rooker are signed through the A’s scheduled arrival in Las Vegas, as is manager Mark Kotsay.

He’s also recovering from offseason surgery on his left shoulder and he’s one of baseball’s most prolific sluggers, who will hit on the nights he pitches and serve as the designated hitter between starts.

He still is working to regain full range of motion in his shoulder, hopeful he’ll be ready to serve as the Dodgers’ designated hitter by opening day.