Shohei Ohtani, the esteemed professional baseball player recognized for his exceptional versatility both as a pitcher and hitter, has been confronted with a significant setback. Los Angeles Angels' General Manager, Perry Minasian, announced on Wednesday evening in Anaheim, California, that Ohtani has incurred a tear in the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) of his right elbow. As a consequence, he will not participate in pitching for the remainder of the ongoing season. This unexpected turn of events transpires as the baseball community anticipates one of the most eagerly awaited free agency periods in the history of the sport.
Earlier on the same day, Ohtani had to leave the game in the initial installment of a doubleheader against the Cincinnati Reds. His exit occurred after he had only managed to record four outs and delivered a mere 26 pitches. Following a subsequent MRI, the presence of the tear was confirmed, though Minasian did not possess information regarding the extent of its severity. Despite this, Ohtani took on the role of designated hitter in the second game of the doubleheader, registering a 1-for-5 performance even as the Angels suffered a 7-3 defeat. He plans to seek further medical opinions to chart his next course of action.
Among the potential avenues is the option of undergoing Tommy John surgery, a procedure he has previously undergone on his right elbow in October 2018. If pursued, this surgical intervention would render him unable to pitch throughout the entirety of the 2024 season. Such a development carries significant implications, as it could substantially impact the highly anticipated free agent competition, which many had speculated could culminate in a contract exceeding $500 million.
Minasian stated at Angel Stadium, "As far as plans and details, I don't have those yet... But it is what it is. If anybody can bounce back, it's him."
Ohtani's recent challenges included grappling with a cracked nail and a blister on his right middle finger. He has also contended with recurring cramps in recent weeks. Notably, he requested to skip a previous start due to what Angels manager Phil Nevin referred to as "arm fatigue." This term was employed to describe Ohtani's abrupt departure during Wednesday's start, his first appearance in 14 days. Observers noted a reduction in his fastball's speed, which averaged 93.1 mph, nearly four mph slower than his seasonal average.
Minasian disclosed that the Angels had not been apprised of any pre-existing concerns until Wednesday. He remarked, "He never complained about anything... He had cramps, he was dehydrated, but today is the day. He came out of the game and said, 'Hey, I've got pain in the elbow area.' It's the first day we've heard of any type of pain."
Ohtani, 29, encountered a Grade 2 sprain of his UCL during his rookie season in June 2018. He sought to mitigate the necessity for Tommy John surgery through platelet-rich plasma and stem-cell therapy. Despite his UCL issues, he remained active in the lineup, even belting two home runs on the night he was informed of his impending Tommy John surgery. Ohtani deferred the procedure until the ensuing offseason, dedicating the entirety of 2019 to rehabilitation while performing both as a pitcher and designated hitter. The 2020 season, shortened due to COVID-19, proved to be challenging for him in both capacities.
His status as a two-way sensation burgeoned in 2021, securing him the American League's Most Valuable Player Award unanimously. The following year, Aaron Judge's remarkable home run feats temporarily overshadowed Ohtani, but he remains a strong contender for the award in 2023. Despite his exceptional abilities, the Angels are currently out of playoff contention. Notably, Ohtani has achieved remarkable statistics, leading the major leagues in home runs with 44, and sporting a batting line of .304/.405/.664. He has also demonstrated his prowess as a pitcher with a 3.14 ERA and 167 strikeouts across 132 innings. His 8.7 FanGraphs wins above replacement significantly surpasses all other players in the league.
The Angels are uncertain about Ohtani's participation as a hitter for the remainder of the season. Minasian explained, "We're going to go day to day and just see how it goes, see how he feels... I think as we get more information, as far as recovery time and all those types of things, we'll have more information down the road."