Ohtani Shohei suffers right-elbow ligament tear, done pitching for season
Five years after Tommy John surgery, the free-agency bound Japanese two-way superstar tears the UCL in his throwing elbow, the Los Angeles Angels said. Further details were not offered.
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Ohtani Shohei has a torn right elbow ligament and will not pitch the rest of the season, the Los Angeles Angels announced on Wednesday (23 August).
Angels general manager Perry Minasian said the Japanese two-way superstar suffered a tear of the UCL.
Ohtani started the first game of a doubleheader which the Angels would lose 9-4 to the Cincinnati Reds, but left in the second inning with what the team initially called arm fatigue.
“Shohei left the game today, we did imaging between games,” Minasian said at a hastily arranged press conference. “He does have a tear and he won’t pitch the rest of the year.
“We’re going to get a second opinion and go from there but it’s day to day. As far as plans and details I don’t have those yet.
“Obviously disappointing, I feel terrible for him. But it is what it is. If anyone can bounce back, it’s him.”
Ohtani himself did not immediately comment.
The 29-year-old had Tommy John surgery on his pitching elbow five years ago. He hit his major league-leading 44th home run on this day before being removed and as a pitcher, was 10-5 with a 3.14 ERA this season.
Ohtani is the runaway favourite to win the American League MVP award, his second in three years.
He will become an unrestricted free agent this off-season and was tipped to receive the most lucrative contract in baseball history, but that could now all change given the condition of his elbow.