2021 Los Angeles Angels: Spring Training Update, Ohtani Rolls

Sunday it was true double duty for Ohtani who started on the mound and hit leadoff for the Angels in their Cactus League game against the Padres. He hadn’t done that in the MLB since first arriving in 2018. 

2021 Los Angeles Angels: Ohtani Continues to Roll

Fernando Tatis Jr. can bat flip all he wants in spring training but he can’t hit and pitch in the same game. 

Ohtani had two hits, a walk, and five strikeouts in four innings on the mound. He broke the 100 mph hour barrier and gave up one run in Sunday"s game against the San Diego Padres.

Ohtani has been hampered by a Tommy John surgery that has plagued him since first being diagnosed with elbow pain way back in 2018. 

Ohtani actually faced Tatis Jr. and showed him what a 102 mile an hour pitch looks like. Ohtani has two hits in 20 at-bats before Sunday, with four homers.

Jo Adell Optioned and Other Moves

Jo Adell will go to the 2021 Los Angeles Angels alternate site before heading to Triple-A Salt Lake this season. Adell is one of the Angels" top prospects who broke in during the shortened 2020 season. 

Kyle Keller, Matt Thaiss and Jose Suarez were also optioned by the club.  

Adell slashed .161/.212/.266 with three home runs and seven RBI with 55 strikeouts in 38 games. The 21-year-old also struggled defensively in the outfield and with the 2021 Los Angels Angels adding Dexter Fowler among others, they don’t have to rush Adell. 

Juan Lagares, Taylor Ward, and Scott Schebler have all had batting averages above .350 this spring. Justin Upton will also slot in the outfield and has performed admirably in Arizona. Brandon Marsh and Jordyn Adams are also gunning for outfield spots.

JJoe Maddon Clarifies Roles of Some Players

2021 Los Angeles Angels Manager Joe Maddon also clarified potential roles for Reid Detmers and Chris Rodriguez, two top Angels pitching prospects.

Rodriguez could see time both as a starter and reliever with Detmers seeing some time on the mound as a starter. Detmers was drafted 10th overall by the Angels in June 2020 and showed some flashes in outings against the White Sox why the Angels think so highly of him.

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