By Anthony Caruso III | Publisher
Los Angeles Angels superstar Shohei Ohtani will not pitch again this season. And he may require surgery that may shut him down as a batter, as well.
Ohtani has torn his UCL, according to the Angels. He pitched in the first game of a doubleheader against the Cincinnati Reds.
The Japanese stud went 1 1/3rd innings before being replaced by Tyler Anderson. Before his departure, Ohtani had two strikeouts and one walk.
Initially, the Angels called it arm fatigue. However, further tests revealed how serious the injury is.
“A tough day for him,” Angels General Manager Perry Minasian said. “Tough day for all of us.”
This is a devastating blow, as the Angels could lose his bat if he needs surgery. He had a double in the second game of the doubleheader.
In 2019, Ohtani served as a designed hitter after suffering a similar injury in 2018.
The unique two-way player is sidelined after their fellow superstar Mike Trout returns to the lineup.
Trout was out seven weeks with his injury.
Ohtani leads MLB with a league-high 44 home runs. He also has 10 wins on the season.
“I think he needs time to wrap his head around it, talk to the people close to him,” Minasian said. “We’re in the process of getting second opinions. Once the information is there, he’ll make the right decision on what he wants to do, and we’ll support him, whatever he decides. … I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s in New York, and he’s in the lineup. I know how bad he wants to play.”
This injury is going to impact his upcoming free agency. Before the injury, Ohtani was being considered for a $500-600 million contract, according to ESPN’s Buster Olney.
However, due to his injury, that could definitely change. The Angels or another team may float a unique contract where Ohtani gets paid one salary as a batter.
And another salary for when he is on the mound. Right now, the Angels are the front runners to keep the 29-year-old due to his familiarity to the team and the area.
“He’s a mentally strong individual,” Minasian told reporters. “To do what he does you have to be.”
© 2007-2024 The Capital Sports Report. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcasted, rewritten, or redistributed.
