Angels' Shohei Ohtani: Gets surgery, won't pitch in '24
Rotowire
Ohtani underwent surgery on his right elbow Tuesday, Sarah Valenzuela of the Los Angeles Times reports.
Ohtani's agent, Nez Balelo, confirmed the right-hander had the procedure in Los Angeles on Tuesday, though Bazelo didn't clarify the nature of the surgery. However, Bazelo noted that Ohtani's procedure "reinforced the healthy ligament in place while adding viable tissue for the longevity of the elbow," which likely indicates that the two-way star opted for an alternative to Tommy John surgery. Citing comments from Ohtani's surgeon, Dr. Neal ElAttrache, Balelo relayed that the 29-year-old is expected to make a full recovery and will be ready to hit without restrictions by Opening Day, though Ohtani won't be cleared to pitch again until 2025. Ohtani, who is also recovering from an oblique injury that will prevent him from serving as a designated hitter the rest of the season, will finish the 2023 campaign with a .304/.412/.654 slash -- all of which represent career highs -- 44 home runs and 20 stolen bases across 594 plate appearances. Before suffering the elbow injury in late August, Ohtani also maintained a 3.14 ERA and 1.06 WHIP with 167 strikeouts over 132 innings as a pitcher. Ohtani is set to become a free agent this offseason and is certain to spark a bidding war between many teams, even though he'll be limited strictly to hitting in 2024.
Ohtani (elbow) was placed on the injured list with a right oblique strain Saturday, ending his season, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports.
The injury ends not only Ohtani's season but likely his Angels career, with the team's continued failure to mount a serious playoff push during his six years in Anaheim widely expected to lead to his departure in free agency. He'll finish the season with a .304/.412/.654 slash line, representing career highs in all three components, as well as 44 homers and 20 steals. He also won 10 games and finished with a 3.14 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 167 strikeouts over 132 innings before being shut down from pitching in late August with a torn UCL in his right elbow. While he'll undoubtedly inspire quite the bidding war this winter, Ohtani will come with plenty of risk between the oblique issue and the elbow surgery he's likely to require during the offseason. Ohtani is expected to undergo Tommy John surgery, an internal bracing surgery or some other elbow procedure that will likely keep him from pitching for most, if not all, of the 2024 season.
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Angels' Shohei Ohtani: Clears out locker
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Ohtani (oblique) cleared out his locker in the Angels' clubhouse Friday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.
The team did not provide an explanation following Friday's game, saying that it would provide information regarding Ohtani's status Saturday. Ohtani, who's facing an elbow procedure in the offseason, missed his 11th straight game Friday due to a right oblique injury. He worked out prior to the game in an effort to play, but after his locker was cleaned out, the presumption seems to be that he's shutting it down for the season. Even if this is it for Ohtani, he's arguably still the frontrunner for the AL MVP given his contributions on the mound and with the bat.
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Angels' Shohei Ohtani: Remains out Friday
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Ohtani (oblique) is out of the lineup Friday against the Tigers, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.
Ohtani has now been out of the lineup for 11 straight games. He was in the original lineup Monday before being scratched, so perhaps the team believes he can return soon -- explaining the lack of an injured list stint. Randal Grichuk will take a turn at designated hitter while hitting sixth.
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Angels' Shohei Ohtani: Held out again Wednesday
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Ohtani (oblique) remains out of the lineup for Wednesday's game in Seattle, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.
Ohtani has now missed 10 straight starts with right oblique discomfort. The Angels are off Thursday before beginning a homestand Friday. If Ohtani isn't able to play by that point, perhaps the team will consider shutting him down. The two-way superstar is dealing with a torn UCL in his right elbow in addition to the oblique issue.
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Angels' Shohei Ohtani: Still out Tuesday
Rotowire
Ohtani (oblique) isn't in the Angels' lineup Tuesday against the Mariners, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.
Ohtani was slated to return to the Angels' lineup Monday, but Tuesday will mark his ninth game missed due to tightness in his right oblique. He continues to be listed as day-to-day, but an IL stint could be in the cards for Ohtani if his condition doesn't improve soon. Matt Thaiss will serve as the Angels' designated hitter and bat sixth Tuesday.
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Angels' Shohei Ohtani: Late scratch Monday
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Ohtani (oblique) has been scratched from Monday's game against the Mariners, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.
Ohtani was set to make his return to the starting nine after missing time with a tight right oblique, but he'll be held out at the last moment. The star two-way player didn't feel right when taking swings in the batting cage, so the club will push his return back by at least one day, per Bollinger. Mike Moustakas will take his place in the DH slot and hit fourth.
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Angels' Shohei Ohtani: Set to return Monday
Rotowire
Ohtani (oblique) is in the lineup for Monday's game against the Mariners, Erica Weston of Bally Sports West reports.
A tight oblique cost Ohtani a little over a week of action, but he is ready to resume playing. He will serve as the designated hitter and hit second for the Angels on Monday night.
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Angels' Shohei Ohtani: Still sitting Sunday
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Ohtani (oblique) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Guardians, Erica Weston of Bally Sports West reports.
It's the seventh consecutive absence for Ohtani as he continues to manage inflammation in his right oblique. The two-way star won't return to the mound this season due to a torn UCL in his right elbow that will eventually require surgery, but manager Phil Nevin indicated Ohtani could return as the Halos' designated hitter as early as Monday in Seattle, per Sarah Valenzuela of the Los Angeles Times.
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Angels' Shohei Ohtani: Remains sidelined
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Ohtani (oblique) will sit for a sixth straight game Saturday against Cleveland, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.
Ohtani has been absent for the last several days with inflammation in his right oblique, an issue separate from the torn UCL which will eventually require surgery. Between his two injuries and the fact that the Angels are well out of the playoff race, it would hardly be a surprise if Ohtani were to be shut down, but the team still considers him day-to-day.
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Angels' Shohei Ohtani: Missing fifth straight
Rotowire
Ohtani (oblique) isn't in the Angels' lineup Friday against the Guardians, Erica Weston of Bally Sports West reports.
Manager Phil Nevin said Thursday that Ohtani will return "in a day or two," and it appears the team will opt for the latter. Chad Wallach will fill in as the Angels' designated hitter Friday and bat sixth.
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Angels' Shohei Ohtani: Remains out Thursday
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Ohtani (oblique) is not in Thursday's lineup against the Guardians, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.
Ohtani made progress Thursday, as he was spotted running in the outfield and also swung a bat for the first time since Sunday. However, he'll remain out of the lineup for the fourth straight game. Manager Phil Nevin noted that Ohtani could return to action "in a day or two."
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Angels' Shohei Ohtani: Not swinging bat yet
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Ohtani (oblique) didn't take any swings Wednesday as he had previously hoped to do, Anthony Bautista of The Sporting News reports.
The Angels had planned for Ohtani to take a few swings in the batting cage Wednesday to test out his right oblique after he had recently been cleared of any structural damage. However, after Ohtani went to the cage to get loosened up, he ultimately decided against swinging the bat. Angels manager Phil Nevin said Wednesday there are currently no plans to place Ohtani on the injured list, so he still seems to be viewed as day-to-day. Ohtani missed his third straight game Wednesday but could have a shot at playing in Thursday's series opener versus the Guardians.
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Angels' Shohei Ohtani: Remains out Wednesday
Rotowire
Ohtani (oblique) isn't in the Angels' lineup Wednesday against the Orioles.
Tests revealed Wednesday that Ohtani is dealing with inflammation in his right oblique, so he will remain out of the Angels' lineup as he recovers. Matt Thaiss will serve as Los Angeles' DH and bat sixth against Baltimore.
