Shohei Ohtani, the two-way star for the Los Angeles Angels, was unexpectedly scratched from the starting lineup for Monday’s game against the Baltimore Orioles due to right oblique tightness, according to the club.
This news came as a surprise to fans and raised concerns about Ohtani’s availability for future games.
Shohei Ohtani has been scratched from tonight's lineup, per @masnSteve pic.twitter.com/In4N6a10Lq
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) September 5, 2023
During a rare on-field batting practice session at Angel Stadium, Ohtani hit a ball over the fence.
However, on the very next pitch, he winced in pain while checking a swing at a low ball.
This prompted the club to decide to remove him from the lineup just an hour before the game was set to begin. Ohtani was originally slated to bat second.
The reason for Ohtani’s limited playing time as of late stems from a tear in the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. This injury was diagnosed on August 23 and has confined him to designated hitter duties.
Although it was anticipated that Ohtani would need some sort of procedure to heal the ligament tear, his agent, Nez Balelo, clarified thatIt may not necessarily be a second Tommy John surgery.
Balelo emphasized that this new tear is located in a different area compared to his previous UCL injury.
“I do know this: No matter what timetable we’re dealing with and when we get this done,
Shohei is going to be in somebody’s lineup next year DHing when the bell rings,” Balelo said.
“Longevity is importan because he loves to pitch,” Balelo added.
“There’s not a question in his mind that he’s going to come back and he’s going to continue to do both, like we have the last few years.”
