After undergoing an MRI this morning, Shohei Ohtani has been cleared to begin a hitting program, the Angels announced today. He’ll be further evaluated in another three weeks, but tests today showed improvements in his ulnar collateral ligament (Twitter links via Joel Sherman of the New York Post). The Angels aren’t making a definitive call on whether he’ll be able to pitch again this season until that subsequent followup exam.
While Ohtani certainly isn’t entirely out of the woods just yet, it’s obviously an encouraging update for the Angels that the platelet-rich plasma and stem cell injections he received earlier this month have resulted in some meaningful improvement. Eppler indicated yesterday that if Ohtani were strictly a designated hitter, he’d likely have been cleared right away. That, coupled with today’s clearance, makes it seem likely that Ohtani will, at the very least, return to the Angels’ lineup at some point this summer — if not the rotation.
Ohtani was widely expected to be a superior pitcher than hitter, and many reports at the time of his signing cited scouts who remained skeptical of his ability to hit Major League pitching. While he’s only had 129 plate appearances to date, he’s looked every bit the part of someone talented enough to excel in both areas. Thus far in the Majors, Ohtani has raked at a .289/.372/.535 pace, clubbing six homers, eight doubles and a triple.
The Halos won’t send Ohtani on a traditional minor league rehab assignment, according to Eppler (via Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register, on Twitter). Instead, he’ll get his at-bats in via a series of simulated games and live BP sessions. USA Today’s Bob Nightengale tweets that Ohtani could begin facing live pitching as soon as next week.
As with any UCL injury, speculation regarding potential surgery for Ohtani will abound. However, Eppler made sure to emphasize today that medical experts have not yet made that recommendation for Ohtani (Twitter link via MLB.com’s Maria Guardado). Said Eppler: “No doctor has told me that Shohei needs surgical intervention at this time.”
Dude just go under the knife.
Tommy John would probably knock him out for the entire 2019 season anyway. They’re going to bring him along as slowly and cautiously as possible if he has Tommy John.
If there’s a chance he avoids TJ, of course they’re going to try to get to that outcome. And if TJ is going to result in a lost 2019 season anyway, but he can still hit without detriment in 2018, then pushing the surgery until after the season doesn’t change much.
How people who need TJ but don’t get TJ actually do well?
*How many people who need Tommy John surgery and do not get Tommy John surgery actually do well?
Masohiro Tanaka (excellent peripheral stats, and Steps up when it matters most)
Ervin Santana (until very recently)
Chen: doesn’t count, he’s trying to avoid his SECOND Tommy John.
Disclaimer: **I am Not a doctor, obviously**
I told you so.
I was ripped by numerous people three weeks ago for saying this is exactly what would happen. No more pitching.
Yeah, I don’t think I ever expected this experiment to be a huge success, and injury was my biggest concern. It’s the same reason why I never liked buying combo TV’s in the 90s, that came with a VCR: when one breaks, it makes the other useless!
I got a chuckle out of that, thanks.
If he ever gets the surgery and comes back, there’s no reason to expect he can’t do both
lmao ur 77 years old we get it
You said he’d never pitch and would only hit. He’s going to pitch again.
CaseysPartner……What you said was “In three weeks he is RF Shohei Ohtani. No more pitching.”. link to mlbtraderumors.com the articles says is he will hit for now until reevaluated again and more decisions will be made. There is a big difference
And he will not be playing the field. He will likely only hit and play DH. Playing the field would require throwing the ball.
timpa…..You know that…I know that…CP is as always…oblivious to the real world.
Yeah I think you were ripped and rightly so…. they’re still gonna see if hes going to pitch. Looks like that’s never going to change even if he does have TJ. Hes proven that he can do both
put him on the shelf now. go through it as early as possible instead of dragging it out. there’s a good chance he’ll come back fine next August.
They’re going to be as cautious as possible if he has TJS. They’re not bringing him back in a 12-13 month timeline in that scenario, given his importance to their future. I’m sure they look at TJ now or TJ in October as a lost 2019 season, and Eppler said no doctor has recommended TJ yet.
It’s not like surgeons are telling him to have the surgery. The only people saying he should have it are fans — most of which is based on one erroneous report from Pedro Gomez.
No, not Pedro. Say it isn’t so.
If he can avoid Tommy John, great. If he ends up needing it, there’s not much difference between now and September. Either way he misses 2019.
Correct.
I don’t understand the thinking that the Angels are somehow delaying the inevitable here. If multiple doctors/surgeons (or even one) told them that they felt the best course of action for the practically free potential ace/slugger they won the lottery on over the winter was to have Tommy John surgery, they wouldn’t ignore those medical experts and jeopardize his future.
If he’s not having TJ, it’s because it hasn’t been recommended yet, and they know that even if it eventually is — whether it’s done in June, August or October, he’s probably out until 2020.
Maybe he has the surgery eventually anyway, but the whole “just get it done already even though no doctor has told you it’s the recommended course of action” is weird.
Steve…There is still a large percentage of parents and coaches who think that TJS should be done on HS and university pitchers as a preventative measure despite the plethora of info available. It’s not surprising to me that so many here are in the “get it done now camp.
Yeah but I dont want to say “common sense says” but….. if it’s not required why do it?
Tommy John at birth or you’re gonna raise a failure
Actually, if he had it now, he could be ready to play by opening day as just a DH. Then wait until it fully strengthens up and hit the mound in 2020. Glyber Torres had his TJ at the end of June and was able to report to Spring Training.
Wish him well however it works out.
He’s exciting to watch.
They need him at DH. Maybe a platoon role with Pujols . Getting him more AB could work in their favor. Too many off days not hitting had to hurt him some
I agree, I feel like it’ll be good for him to temporarily focus on one thing. We knew at one point or another he’d have to focus on one out of the two things.
He wasn’t bad pitching, but had a good amount of walks. Had a lot of discomfort with the blisters.
I think his hitting has been as good as his pitching, he just needs more of a shot to prove it and this is his chance.