On his way to having a historic season, Shohei Ohtani, the two-way superstar has suffered a major setback with his UCL injury. Ohtani will not pitch again this season. He suffered an injury in his right elbow causing difficulty in bending and moving the arm. The news was announced by The Angels on Wednesday night and fans speculate this injury puts Ohtani’s future as a pitcher at risk.
Ohtani, the 2021 American League MVP who smashed 46 homers and recorded a 3.18 ERA in 23 starts, was putting up another phenomenal season in 2023.
Shohei Ohtani 😪
The HR leader has been diagnosed with a torn UCL in his throwing arm and will NOT be pitching for the rest of the season.
(via @JeffFletcherOCR) pic.twitter.com/ICTytJlasP
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) August 24, 2023
Angels general manager Perry Minasian said that imaging revealed a tear in Ohtani’s UCL. The ligament that stabilizes the elbow joint and is crucial for throwing and he will need further treatment. Ohtani underwent Tommy John surgery in October 2018 to fix a partially torn UCL. He also sat out for most of the 2019 season. He made his comeback as a designated hitter in 2020, but still struggled his way to become a pitcher.
Minasian said Ohtani’s need for another surgery was uncertain, which could keep him out for a year or more. He said the team would seek advice from medical experts and Ohtani himself to decide the best way forward.
The Two-way star, Shohei Ohtani faces an uncertain future
By the end of this season, Shohei Ohtani would have become a free agent. He will also be among the most sought-after players in the history of baseball. He earned the American League MVP award as a leading candidate. Ohtani amazed everyone with his remarkable blend of power and pitching skill.
The only way to close out a historic season.
Shohei Ohtani is your unanimous 2021 American League MVP. pic.twitter.com/zlw5aGr68k
— MLB (@MLB) November 18, 2021
Ohtani said in an interview that being a two-way player was his dream, and that brought him from Japan. However, his injury threatens his future as a pitcher, and he may have to pick one or the other or harm his elbow more. He also mentioned that playing for The Angels has been the most amazing thing and he loves it as they supported him throughout his career.
The Angels, who are currently fourth in the AL West and out of playoff contention, have expressed their admiration and appreciation for Ohtani. The hope is that he can recover fully from his injury. Ohtani is known to be “one of a kind” and “a generational talent” for The Angels. It’s been a tough season for the Los Angeles Angels. Missing out on Ohtani is not going to make things any easier.