Ohtani facing Tommy John surgery after new damage

ARLINGTON, Texas – The Los Angeles Angels say Japanese two-way star Shohei Ohtani has new damage in his right elbow and Tommy John surgery has been recommended.

The Angels said Ohtani had an MRI on Wednesday in Texas that revealed the problem in his ulnar collateral ligament.

Ohtani had been scheduled to throw a light bullpen session. He was still in the Angels’ lineup as the designated hitter for their series finale against the Rangers.

The 24-year-old rookie was diagnosed with a sprained UCL following a start June 6 and was treated with a platelet-rich plasma injection and an injection of stem cells. He was hitting again in early July, and returned to the mound with his start Sunday at Houston.

Ohtani lasted only 21⁄3 innings in the start Sunday, when he had a drastic drop in velocity during the game.

Jansen expected to miss Dodgers’ weekend series in Colorado: The Los Angeles Dodgers are expected to be without All-Star closer Kenley Jansen for a key weekend series with the Colorado Rockies after a team cardiologist recommended the right-hander 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 before the start of a four-game series at Coors Field, 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. He struggled upon his return, giving up runs in four consecutive outings while taking a loss and blowing two save opportunities. He stopped taking the medication last week.

GM Rizzo indicates manager Martinez will be back in 2019: Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo indicated during a session with reporters Wednesday that first-year manager Dave Martinez will return next season.

“I haven’t considered any other scenario,” Rizzo responded when asked if Martinez would be back.

The Nationals, expected to contend for a third straight NL East title, entered Wednesday with a 69-70 record, 71⁄2 games behind Atlanta in the East and eight games back in the wildcard.

In addition to injuries players including Daniel Murphy, Ryan Zimmerman, Stephen Strasburg and Sean Doolittle, Martinez’ work has come under scrutiny.