Angels’ Ohtani to have Tommy John surgery

Los Angeles Angels two-way rookie Shohei Ohtani will have Tommy John surgery next week.

The Angels confirmed Ohtani’s long-expected decision on elbow ligament replacement Tuesday.

Ohtani won’t be able to pitch for the Angels in 2019, but he likely could hit at some point early next season.

Ohtani went 4-2 with a 3.31 ERA in 10 mostly outstanding starts for the Angels, but he has pitched just once since early June after developing a strained right elbow. Ohtani has continued as the Angels’ designated hitter. MADDON ON RUSSELL >> Manager Joe Maddon says it would not be a distraction if shortstop Addison Russell plays again for the Chicago Cubs.

Maddon has “no idea” if he will and knows “nothing about the process ... playing itself out.” He spoke prior to Tuesday’s game against Pittsburgh.

Russell has not been with the team since Major League Baseball placed him on administrative leave Friday following a blog post attributed to Melissa Reidy containing allegations of emotional and physical abuse while they were married. Reidy also suggested on Instagram last year Russell was unfaithful and a friend of hers accused him of hitting his wife in a post later deleted.

Russell has denied the accusations. The leave could be extended for seven-day periods if the union agrees.

CHARGES DROPPED AGAINST OSUNA >> Canadian prosecutors dropped a domestic assault charge on Tuesday against Houston Astros closer Roberto Osuna, who agreed to stay away from the alleged victim for one year and continue counseling.

Osuna, formerly with the Blue Jays, was charged with assault in May. The 23-year-old player was suspended without pay for 75 games for violating Major League Baseball’s domestic violence policy, and the Blue Jays dealt him to Houston on July 30.