Shohei Ohtani is scheduled to play a couple of Cactus League games for the two-time defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers before he departs the desert to join Japan for the World Baseball Classic.

He was in the lineup leading off as designated hitter scheduled for two or three at-bats for the club's spring training opener Saturday afternoon against the Angels at Tempe Diablo Stadium.

"Sometimes he takes two and he feels good or he wants that third at-bat," manager Dave Roberts said.

When asked about Ohtani's travel plans, Roberts smiled and said, "I promised I'd try."