Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels left the mound during an at-bat in the second inning due to arm fatigue. The Angels’ training staff attended to Ohtani after a 94 mph fastball to Cincinnati Reds third baseman, Christian Encarnacion-Strand. With just 26 pitches thrown in the first game of a doubleheader, the Angels ultimately lost 9-4. Ohtani did not speak to the media as he underwent further evaluation, leaving manager Phil Nevin to explain that Ohtani’s pitching arm “just didn’t feel right.” Despite not feeling any pain, Ohtani has been experiencing discomfort for the past couple of weeks.
In the first game, Ohtani displayed his prowess at the plate by hitting his major league-leading 44th home run, a two-run shot. However, due to the arm issue, he had to be replaced as the designated hitter by rookie Nolan Schanuel. Nonetheless, Ohtani returned to the Angels’ lineup for the second game of the doubleheader, where he went 1-for-5 with a double and a run scored in a 7-3 loss. It is worth noting that Ohtani has missed only two games this season, with the last absence occurring on May 2.
To preserve Ohtani’s arm health, he skipped his previous turn in the rotation to rest his arm. The decision was made in line with the necessity to recuperate during a demanding season. Although Ohtani’s velocity was down against the Reds, it is not unusual for him to gradually increase his pitching speed throughout the early innings. However, Nevin noticed inconsistencies in the shape of Ohtani’s pitches as well as his overall performance, prompting him to check on the pitcher.
Throughout the season, Ohtani has faced various minor injuries, including blisters and cramps in his pitching hand. Nevertheless, he has persevered, continuing to be a pivotal player for the Angels as both a pitcher and designated hitter. Even during his recovery from Tommy John surgery in 2019, Ohtani played 106 games as the team’s DH. However, there have been instances where he had to leave the mound due to these issues, such as when he experienced cramping in his hand and fingers in early August against the Seattle Mariners.
Following Ohtani’s departure, Tyler Anderson stepped in as his replacement on the mound. This suggests that the Angels may have anticipated a shorter outing for Ohtani. Anderson is a regular member of the Angels’ rotation and was expected to start on Friday against the New York Mets. Although Ohtani’s setback is disappointing, the team will need to rely on their pitching depth to navigate through the upcoming games.
Despite the setback, Shohei Ohtani is expected to secure his second AL MVP award in three seasons. His exceptional performance as a two-way player has been nothing short of remarkable. With a 10-5 record and a 3.17 ERA on the mound, as well as 91 RBIs, Ohtani has solidified his position as one of the league’s most valuable players. However, his injury serves as a reminder of the challenges inherent in maintaining peak performance throughout a demanding baseball season.
Shohei Ohtani’s arm fatigue and subsequent departure from the mound during the game against the Cincinnati Reds is a setback for the Los Angeles Angels. Ohtani has been a force to be reckoned with this season, exhibiting his skills both as a pitcher and a batter. The team’s success relies heavily on his contributions, and his absence will undoubtedly be felt. Nevertheless, the Angels will need to adapt and rely on their talented roster to overcome this obstacle and finish the season strong.
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