Dodgers: Shohei Ohtani took another significant step toward his full capability on the mound while he threw one hitless inning Sunday. And at the plate, the Dodgers’ two-way superstar was once again at the peak of his powers. Ohtani recorded two strikeouts in his second mound start for the Dodgers, allowing just one baserunner on an error. The three-time MVP then drove in five runs at the plate, hitting a three-run triple in the seventh before adding his NL-leading 26th homer in the eighth inning of the Dodgers’ 13-7 victory over the Nationals. Ohtani is proceeding deliberately on his way back to longer weekly mound appearances, but the three-time MVP is encouraged by what he’s been able to do in two short starts. “I do feel like I have to work on some things,” Ohtani said through his interpreter. “But at the same time, I do feel like I can perform better, even better than I used to be able to perform at.” Ohtani threw 18 pitches against the Nationals, recording 12 strikes with one wild pitch. After leadoff hitter CJ Abrams grounded out, Mookie Betts dropped James Wood’s popup in the sun, but Ohtani struck out Luis García Jr. and Nathaniel Lowe to end it. Ohtani’s fastball topped out at 98.8 mph after hitting 100 in his first outing, and he finished both of his strikeouts with breaking balls. “He was considerably better today, as far as the stuff, the life of the fastball, the command of his pitches,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “Much better, so overall a really good outing.” Roberts was referring to improvement since Ohtani’s Dodgers mound debut Monday, when he allowed two hits and a run while throwing 28 pitches in an inning against the Padres in his first pitching appearance since 2023 with the Angels. “It’s going to be a gradual process,” Ohtani said. Roberts and Ohtani both said Sunday that the Dodgers don’t have a firm timeline to expand Ohtani’s starts to full length, but he feels increasingly confident in his ability to go longer. Ohtani didn’t pitch at all last season while recovering from arm surgery during his first season with the Dodgers under a 10-year, $700 million contract. He won his third MVP award while becoming the first player in baseball history with 50 homers and 50 stolen bases in a season, and the Dodgers won his first World Series championship.

Rays: Dominican prosecutors have requested that suspended Rays shortstop Wander Franco be sentenced to five years in prison for his alleged crimes. Franco faces charges of sexual abuse involving a girl who was 14 years old at the time. The prosecutors said in court there’s sufficient evidence to prove Franco had a relationship with the minor for four months and that he transferred large sums of money to the minor’s mother to consent to the illegal relationship. The prosecutors also requested the minor’s mother be sentenced to 10 years in prison, arguing she sexually trafficked her daughter.

Athletics: MLB commissioner Rob Manfred, state and local government dignitaries, former A’s greats such as Rollie Fingers and Dave Stewart, Little Leaguers and many others looked on as the team celebrated the groundbreaking of a $1.75 billion, 33,000-person capacity ballpark in Las Vegas that is expected to be finished in time for the 2028 season. Nevada and Clark County have approved up to $380 million in public funds for the project. The A’s are playing the first of at least three years at a Triple-A ballpark in West Sacramento, California, while they await their move to Las Vegas.

Giants: The Giants said MLB is looking into allegations of abuse made by the wife of reliever Sean Hjelle. Caroline Hjelle made a post on TikTok on Friday of her with the couple’s two children with a caption that said: “When my MLB husband abandons us on Mothers Day a week after this (video was taken) once I finally found about his affairs and stopped putting up with his abuse, so I’ve been raising two boys alone.” Hjelle said after Saturday’s game that he had no comment on the allegations, adding that he and his wife are in the process of finalizing their divorce. “I feel confident in saying that I will have one eventually,” he said. “I don’t have an exact timeline on that. But I would like to actually meet with the people that are handling the situation with me and for me before I actually make an official statement.” The Giants said in a statement Saturday that they’re “aware of these serious allegations” and that MLB is handling it. Manager Bob Melvin said before Saturday’s game against the Red Sox that Hjelle would be available to pitch. “Obviously we’re aware of it,” Melvin said. “He told me about it last night. We talked to MLB. At this point, it’s in their jurisdiction right now so I really can’t comment on it further.” Hjelle took the loss in Friday night’s game against the Red Sox, allowing a tiebreaking homer to Ceddanne Rafaela in the sixth inning. Hjelle is 1-1 with a 4.66 ERA in six appearances this season.