Angels superstar Shohei Ohtani has been hit with devastating news as he was diagnosed with a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right elbow. Ohtani suffered the injury after exiting his start early in Game 1 of a doubleheader against the Reds and is now set to miss the rest of the season.
This is the second time Ohtani has suffered a torn UCL, with the first occurring in 2018. That injury forced him to undergo Tommy John surgery and sit out the entire 2019 season. The Angels are now awaiting a second opinion on Ohtani’s condition to determine if he will need another surgery.
Despite the injury, Ohtani showed incredible determination by requesting to remain in the lineup as the designated hitter for Game 2 of the doubleheader. He went 1-for-5 with a hustle double in the fifth inning. The Angels will need to assess whether Ohtani will be able to continue hitting for the remainder of the season or if he will need to shut it down early if surgery is required.
This injury couldn’t have come at a worse time for Ohtani, as he is set to become a free agent after the season and was on track to secure a record-breaking contract. If he does require a second Tommy John surgery, the recovery time could lead to him missing the entire 2024 season or potentially even longer, which will impact his market value.
Ohtani has had a remarkable career, bouncing back from his first UCL tear to have a stellar 2021 season, winning the AL MVP award. Angels GM Perry Minasian remains optimistic about Ohtani’s future, expressing confidence in his ability to bounce back and make a full recovery.
In his 2023 season, Ohtani made 23 starts on the mound, posting a 10-5 record with a 3.14 ERA and 167 strikeouts in 132 innings. He had recently skipped a start due to arm fatigue, but the team initially diagnosed it as such before the severity of his injury was revealed.
Despite the setback, Ohtani continues to demonstrate his exceptional skills, hitting his MLB-leading 44th home run in Game 1 of the doubleheader. He currently has a batting average of .304 with 22 doubles, seven triples, 91 RBIs, and 17 stolen bases in 126 games.
Overall, Ohtani’s injury is a significant blow to the Angels and to his own future prospects in the league. The team will undoubtedly miss his presence on the mound, but they also recognize the value he brings to the team as a hitter. Ohtani’s determination to continue playing despite the severity of his injury is a testament to his dedication to the game and his teammates.