Neymar throws 1st pitch in Miami opener, Ohtani wins in home debut

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Brazilian soccer star Neymar threw out the ceremonial first pitch on the opening day of the Major League Baseball (MLB) game between the Miami Marlins and the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday.

Neymar, who is currently playing for Saudi Pro League Al Hilal, is recovering from a recent surgery on his left knee.

The Pirates beat the Marlins 6-5 in the game in Miami.

MLB's tweet on March 29 about Neymar. /@MLB

Also on Thursday, Japanese star Shohei Ohtani made a triumphant Los Angeles Dodgers home debut, getting help from fellow Most Valuable Player teammates in a 7-1 rout of St. Louis.

Leadoff hitter Mookie Betts bashed a solo home run in the third inning and scored three times, Freddie Freeman homered and drove in three runs and Ohtani went 2-for-3 and scored on Freeman's homer in the third to spark the Dodgers.

"I was the only guy who couldn't hit a homer, but overall I thought I had a pretty good game," Ohtani said. "Overall, I had quality at-bats."

SportsNet LA's tweet on March 29, retweeted by Los Angeles Dodgers, about Shohei Ohtani. /@SportsNetLA

Ohtani signed a 10-year, $700 million deal with the Dodgers following six years with the Los Angeles Angels in December 2023.

"I'm very grateful... being able to be received by the Dodger fans," Ohtani said. "Obviously, I've been here before, as a visiting player, so it was a little intimidating. But I'm very grateful for the fans and there are a lot of them."

A mural of Shohei Ohtani, by artist Robert Vargas, is shown in Los Angeles, California, U.S., March 26, 2024. /CFP

Ohtani is amid an investigation conducted by the MLB to look into alleged illegal gambling activity by his longtime friend and translator, Ippei Mizuhara.

(With input from AFP)