Ohtani won’t pitch today; Trout done?

Los Angeles Angels two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani will not take the mound for Tuesday night’s game against the Yankees in order to give his right hand extra time to heal.

Angels manager Joe Maddon also said outfielder Mike Trout is experiencing soreness in his right calf after running the bases on Saturday and that discussions about shutting down the three-time AL MVP for the rest of the season are rapidly approaching. Maddon hinted that it could happen in the next week or two.

Ohtani was hit in his pitching hand by a 93 mph fastball from San Diego’s Ryan Weathers while swinging during the first inning of Saturday’s game against the Padres.

Ohtani is 8-1 with a 3.00 ERA and 127 strikeouts in 19 starts. He also leads the majors with 41 home runs and remains in the lineup in his usual spot as the designated hitter.

The patchwork Angels’ pitching staff has four starters on the injured list. Right-hander Jaime Barria will start in place of Ohtani.

Trout has not played since May 17 after going on the injured list due to a right calf strain. The original prognosis was six to eight weeks, but Trout has been out of the lineup for over three months since sustaining the injury.

TWO SOX OUT WITH COVID

Boston left-hander Martin Perez and right-hander Matt Barnes have become the latest Red Sox players impacted by COVID-19.

Both pitchers were put on the COVID-19 injured list before Monday night’s game at Tampa Bay.

The team is going through the MLB coronavirus protocols that include contact tracing and testing.

Infielder-outfielder Kike Hernandez and infielder Christian Arroyo both tested positive last week and were placed on the COVID-19 injured list on Friday.

Cora said Hernandez and Arroyo are both feeling OK.

NEW NFL PROTOCOLS

Fully vaccinated NFL players will be required to get tested for COVID-19 weekly instead of every 14 days as part of the revised protocols for the regular season agreed upon by the NFL and NFLPA.

The weekly testing applies also for fully vaccinated Tier 1 and 2 staff. There’s an option for a second test for those who want it, according to a memo sent to clubs and obtained by The Associated Press on Monday.

Fully vaccinated individuals do not need to wait for results prior to entering a team’s facility. Each club must conduct its testing over a three-day period.

Unvaccinated players will continue to be tested daily.