Disaster among the Angels.
After watching Shohei Ohtani leave yesterday’s game due to fatigue in his arm, we learn that the pitcher has a torn ligament in his elbow.
This is what explains its drop in velocity.
He will therefore no longer pitch this season and the pitcher will consider the option of having surgery. Nothing has been decided yet.
Last night, he still struck in the second game of a doubleheader. So he can hit, but if he has an operation, he won’t be able to do it for a while.
Recall that the pitcher was operated on as part of a Tommy John in 2018. It could still be necessary at this point.
The Angels GM said he doesn’t believe it’s because of Shohei’s dual roles since pitchers are at risk, when they throw hard, of getting hurt like that.
And Shohei, who started his season in the colors of Japan, is launching at 100 miles per hour.
The Angels, who are 61-67, shouldn’t make the playoffs. It was already clear, but without Ohtani on the mound and without Mike Trout, it will be difficult.
Because as if that wasn’t bad enough, Trout is back on the injured list due to his wrist – after just one game. It’s crazy that Mike Trout is second-rate news, but…
Recall that the Angels could have had the moon for Shohei’s services this summer, but they refused. Instead, the club acquired items to make the playoffs.
But with everything going on, forget it.
At this point, if Ohtani realizes he won’t make the playoffs, he might decide to have surgery and not pitch anymore. On the other hand, you have to think about this: in a few months, he will be a free agent.
How does all this affect the value of Nippon?
We were already starting to wonder how the abrupt end of his departure yesterday would affect his value, but this is even worse.
With the idea that the guy can get hurt at any time and we realize more than ever that having both roles has an expiration date, can the player get $500M?
$500 million for just one hitter (of choice) is too much.
Is there a world where Ohtani has a base amount and big bonuses if he can throw? Maybe that could be the case, indeed.
It complicates the case, but good.
The file was already complex due to the fact that nobody does what he can do on a ball diamond, but now it takes another turn.
Recall that this year, the 29-year-old player has a WAR of 9.6, an average of .304, an OPS of 1,069, 44 homers, 91 RBI and 78 bases on walks.
And as a launcher? A 10-5 record, 3.14 GAA, 132 innings pitched, 167 strikeouts and a 1.061 WHIP.
If there is Tommy John surgery, is there a world where he returns to Anaheim at short notice to have his rehabilitation process happen at home? Is this the first step towards such a scenario?
It’s too early to tell, but we’ll see. After all, we will follow the case with interest.
- Orioles are incapable of being swept away.
- Terry Francona: Retirement seems imminent.
- Trey Mancini in the Reds organization.
