As you know, Shohei Ohtani has been amazing for three years. By doing both roles on a regular basis, he’s downright two-player for the Angels.
The starting pitchers who are questioned about his success are impressed since normally, the day after a game, the guys rest a little more.
Ohtani, him? He hits.
This means, however, that he must pay more particular attention to his body. The fatigue of playing more often than others causes his body to send him messages.
His last bouts of cramping are causing him to be torn. On the one hand, he wants to play as often as possible to bring his people to the playoffs – although it will be hard.
But on the other? The guy needs to listen to himself.
And in view of his next departure as pitcher, which was scheduled for next Wednesday, the pitcher did this: he chose to listen to himself.
So he asked his manager to skip a start. He will therefore not show up on the mound on Wednesday against the Rangers. Fatigue (not injury) is involved.
It is not yet known who will take his place and he will have a full rotation of rest. He will start the following week in a duel against the Reds.
I don’t know if Ohtani will need to do it often by the end of the season (I don’t think so), but one thing is certain: more rested, he is much more effective.
In my eyes, seeing him ask for time off is a necessary evil for the Angels. He’ll be back in full swing…and in the meantime, he can still hit long balls like DH.
A club that wants to sign him this winter will have to take notes.
- Matt Chapman’s fingers hurt.
