Angels: Will Shohei Ohtani Continue to Play After UCL Tear?

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - Shohei Ohtani (#17) of the Los Angeles Angels hits a two-run home run against the Cincinnati Reds in the first inning during game one of a doubleheader at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on August 23, 2023, in Anaheim, California. (Photo : Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Los Angeles Angels pitcher and designated hitter Shohei Ohtani recently suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right elbow, his pitching arm.

MRI results showed damage after Ohtani exited the first game of a doubleheader against the Cincinnati Reds last Wednesday, August 23, due to arm fatigue. 

Angels general manager Perry Minasian declared that the Japanese sensation will not pitch for the team for the rest of the season. 

However, he could still do designated hitter duties for the team as he decides the next course of action regarding his UCL tear, according to ESPN baseball insider Alden Gonzales.

"He's going to play. So, as far as a second opinion goes, they're still working on that," Minasian said.

Ohtani plans to seek a second doctor's opinion before deciding whether to get a second Tommy John surgery.

Read more: Los Angeles Angels Star Shohei Ohtani Tears Elbow Ligament, Won't Be Pitching For The Year 

Shohei Ohtani is in the Angel's lineup as a designated hitter

The 29-year-old is in Angels manager Phil Nevin's lineup as designated hitter for Friday's game against the New York Mets at the Citi Field in Queens.

Ohtani is slashing .304/.405/.664 with a league-leading 44 home runs in 126 games and 556 plate appearances as a hitter in the 2023 MLB season.

The Angels have a 61-67 win-loss record, second-to-the-last in the American League West standings, and basically out of playoff contention.

The team is also 10.5 games behind the final wild-card spot in the American League.

Related Article: Washington Nationals Star Stephen Strasburg Planning to Retire After Injury-Plagued Years

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