Reigning American League MVP and baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani is off to an excellent start in his first spring training with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

According to the Los Angeles Times, Ohtani hammered 10 home runs out of the confines of the Dodgers' practice field as he took 21 swings in his first batting practice with his new team on Tuesday. Notably, the session also marked his long-awaited return to the field after missing the final month of the 2023 season following a suffered UCL tear in his right (throwing) elbow that required surgery.

The elbow injury will leave the 29-year-old, two-way player unable to pitch for the 2024 season, but Ohtani will play out the coming season as a designated hitter for Los Angeles. Monday's batting practice session was a big step in the right direction for the Japanese star, who hopes to be ready to go by the time the Dodgers start their season on March 20.

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Shohei Ohtani contract

In spite of his elbow injury, Ohtani was the hottest name in MLB free agency this offseason. After a dramatic couple of months, the only MLB player in history to win two unanimous MVP awards signed with the Dodgers on the most lucrative contract in North American sports history.

Ohtani's new contract is a 10-year deal worth $700 million. However, a hefty portion of the guaranteed money is deferred. From 2024-2033, he will get $2 million per year from his new team. From 2034-2043, the Dodgers will pay Ohtani $68 million each year.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Shohei Ohtani wows in first batting practice since surgery