Angels’ Ohtani appears headed for Tommy John surgery
ARLINGTON — Los Angeles Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani has new damage in his pitching elbow and the team says Tommy John surgery has been recommended.
The Angels said Ohtani had an MRI on Wednesday in Texas that revealed the problem in his right ulnar collateral ligament.
“There's more questions out there right now than answers. We'll take it one step at a time,” manager Mike Scioscia said. “There's a lot of consulting that Shohei will do with doctors and just see what the best course of action is, and we'll see where we are.”
The 24-year-old rookie was the Angels' designated hitter for their series finale against the Rangers and homered in the fifth inning. Asked whether Ohtani would stay in the lineup as a DH after this game, Scioscia said: “We'll see. That's going to be determined from our medical department.”
Angels general manager Billy Eppler said Ohtani hasn't formally decided to have Tommy John surgery. Eppler and Ohtani plan to have an in-depth conversation about his future Monday after the Angels return from their road trip.
“We committed to each other in this process, and we will get through it together as a team,” Eppler said. “But I do feel disappointment for the people in that clubhouse, and primarily Shohei.”
The latest development has been dreaded by the Angels and Ohtani's millions of fans since he was diagnosed with a sprained UCL following a start June 6. After receiving a platelet-rich plasma injection and an injection of stem cells, he was hitting again in early July, and he returned to the mound with his start Sunday against the Astros at Minute Maid Park.
Ohtani lasted only 21⁄3 innings in that start, and he had a drastic drop in velocity during the game. He had been scheduled to throw a light bullpen session Wednesday, but never did after reporting that his elbow was sore. The medical staff then decided he should get the MRI.
Eppler declined to speculate on when Ohtani could return to the lineup as a hitter in 2019 if he had Tommy John surgery soon, noting that Ohtani hasn't even decided whether to get it done. Other position players have returned to hitting after Tommy John surgery within roughly six months of the procedure, but Ohtani's case could be different because of his pitching abilities.
In 10 starts, the righthander was 4-2 with a 3.31 ERA.
Jansen to skip series in Denver
The Dodgers will be without All-Star closer Kenley Jansen for a key weekend series with the Rockies after a team cardiologist recommended the righthander not travel to Denver.
Twice in his career Jansen has experienced an atrial fibrillation episode, more commonly known as an irregular heartbeat, while the Dodgers were in the high altitude of Colorado.
The most recent episode happened Aug. 9, with Jansen calling 911 when an accelerated heartbeat would not subside. His heart had to be shocked back into rhythm at a Denver hospital.
Jansen went on the 10-day disabled list with an irregular heartbeat and began taking blood-thinning medication.
Odds and ends
Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo indicated first-year manager Dave Martinez will return next season. The Nationals, expected to contend for a third straight NL East title,are 69-71. … A 32-year-old Chicago man whose nose was broken by a foul ball during a White Sox game was back home Wednesday, a day after he was struck at Guaranteed Rate Field. The White Sox said the fan was released from the hospital and recovering.