A few days ago, the Angels said Shohei Ohtani wasn’t going to pitch past the semifinals. For what? Because the club wants to see him launch one last time in the cacti, with the pitcher dial, before March 30, the opening day.
Ohtani then replied that he was unaware of the plan.
Whether he will kick off on Tuesday, if Japan make it to the final if they win tomorrow against the Mexicans, is therefore a mystery. Theoretically, he would be quite rested.
And according to what is circulating at the moment, it is that the pitcher could indeed launch in the final, Tuesday… but in relief.
For baseball, that would be a good thing. After all, imagine seeing, at the end of the match, a duel between Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani on the mound.
It would be exceptional.
It is important to mention that nothing is decided. It’s possible Japan won’t use him on the mound at all and just be a designated hitter by the end. But the possibility is there.
For his legacy in baseball, he would have to be used as a pitcher.
- Delino DeShileds and the Mariners get along.
- Jacob deGrom launched today.