It’s been a remarkable year for Shohei Ohtani, who signed a $700 million deal with the Dodgers last December. But the most remarkable part is that it began with a career-threatening controversy.

LOS ANGELES — Shohei Ohtani strolled into the Los Angeles Dodgers clubhouse about three and a half hours before first pitch, displaying the easygoing demeanor of a kid he once was growing up in Japan. He smiled. He joked with teammates. He appeared completely relaxed, just happy to come to the field to play baseball.