Los Angeles Angels’ remarkable two-way talent Shohei Ohtani has been ruled out from pitching for the remainder of the season due to a UCL tear, following his early exit from a game against the Cincinnati Reds. Angels’ General Manager Perry Minasian informed the media that surgery might be a consideration, but the final decision is pending.
Minasian stated, “He has a tear, and he won’t pitch the rest of the year. We’re going to get a second opinion, go from there, but it’s basically day to day… If anybody can bounce back, it’s him.”
During the game, Ohtani displayed reduced velocity on his pitches, with his fastball measuring 93.2 mph, significantly below his typical seasonal average. This injury setback follows a series of minor issues Ohtani has faced, including fingernail problems, blisters, and arm fatigue. Despite this, he has maintained an outstanding performance throughout the season, both as a batter and a pitcher.
Although Ohtani’s pitching role is curtailed, the Angels hope he can return to batting after a few days of evaluation and rest. Ohtani’s versatility has been a standout feature of his career, and he has contributed immensely this season with a .304/.406/.659 batting line, 43 home runs, and 89 RBIs, along with solid pitching numbers.
Ohtani’s exceptional season has positioned him as one of the top talents in the league, with projections of a massive contract in the upcoming free agency period. While his pitching season has ended prematurely, his incredible performance as a batter remains a testament to his unmatched skills.
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