Angels say Ohtani needs Tommy John surgery
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 plateletrich 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 2 1/3 innings in the start Sunday, when he had a drastic drop in velocity during the game.
Dodgers’ Jansen expected to miss weekend series
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 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 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 bloodthinning 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.
Jansen is expected to rejoin the team Monday for the opener of a three-game series at Cincinnati.
Kluber earns 18th win, Indians beat Royals
Corey Kluber became the first 18-game winner in the majors this season, striking out 10 and pitching the Indians past the Kansas City Royals 3-1 Wednesday in Cleveland.
The Indians moved closer to the third straight AL Central title and reduced their magic number for clinching the division to nine.
Kluber (18-7) allowed one run and two hits in 6 2/3 innings. The reigning AL Cy Young Award winner was pulled after throwing 105 pitches.
Nationals GM says manager 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, 7 ½ games behind Atlanta in the East and eight games back in the wildcard.