The two-way superstar, Shohei Ohtani’s future seems at stake with the Los Angeles Angels. Last Saturday, on 16th September, the team announced that he would have to miss out for the rest of the season. And what’s the reason? It’s because of an oblique injury sustained by the MLB player.
The Los Angeles Angels star has not played since September 3 and was listed among the 10-day injured players. Due to a torn elbow ligament injury, Ohtani’s season as a pitcher ended on August 23rd.
The Angels have placed Shohei Ohtani on the injured list with an oblique injury, the team announced.
He is out for the rest of the season. pic.twitter.com/xQQuFTPe08
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) September 16, 2023
These two injuries combined resulted in ending Ohtani’s one of the most remarkable leagues in history. In fact, his two-way production made him so popular that he won his second AL MVP award in three seasons. This further led to the speculation that Ohtani might go off as a free agent with an anticipated contract of $500 million or more.
Till today, the 29-year-old marked his career-best at a .304 batting average and 1.066 OPS. With 44 homers, he leads the AL and also has 96 RBIs, 20 stolen bases and eight triples. Moreover, Ohtani was recorded at 10-5 with a 3.14 ERA in 23 starts, along with 167 strikeouts and 55 walks in 132 innings.
However, after sustaining an injury during the batting practice, it remains unsure whether he’ll need Tommy John surgery again or not. He previously had surgery on October 1st, 2018, done by the head team physician of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Neal ElAttrache.
Shohei Ohtani left for Japan, after clearing out his locker
After clearing out his locker at Angel Stadium, the two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani left for his homeland, Japan. He was spotted at the Japanese airport, mere hours after leaving Los Angeles.
Sitting on the bench for the rest of the season, Ohtani had to miss out on his 11th consecutive game due to sustaining an oblique muscle injury. Ohtani was seen at the stadium at the start of the match, but later on, his locker was found empty, with all his belongings gone.
BREAKING: Shohei Ohtani has been spotted at an airport in Japan after clearing out his locker in the Angels locker room. pic.twitter.com/em5OIKsidq
— J (@HoursAndYears) September 16, 2023
The Angels have not made any statement on this matter yet, and neither on the speculation that Ohtani might become a free agent after his contract ends this season.
Ohtani’s future with the Los Angeles Angels seems very unsure. As the team did not deal with Ohtani at the trade deadlines, hoping to make the postseason, the matter has become a fairground for speculation.
He was already shut down as a pitcher due to his ligament injury, and then he got held off due to his oblique injury, so no one actually knows what would happen next. Right now, the MLB prodigy is in Japan and will return as soon as he recovers.