Angels hope Ohtani’s elbow sprain to be OK
Japanese star expected to have ‘no restrictions.’
The Los Angeles Angels knew Shohei Ohtani was recovering from a sprained elbow before they agreed to a minor league contract with the Japanese right-hander and outfielder.
“I think that’s past him, and our understanding is there is no restrictions at all going into spring training, and he’ll get down there in plenty of time and be ready to go,” Angels manager Mike Scioscia said Wednesday at the winter meetings.
Ohtani agreed Friday to a minor league contract for a signing bonus of $2.315 million. That was the entire amount remaining in the Angels’ international bonus signing pool of $6.96 million for the signing period ending on June 15.
His bonus is due within 30 days of the agreement and is contingent upon Ohtani obtaining a U.S. work visa. Los Angeles also will pay a $20 million posting fee to the Nippon Ham Fighters of Japan’s Pacific League.
MLB teams were told during the posting process that Ohtani had a first-degree sprain — the mildest level — of his right ulnar collateral ligament and had a platelet rich plasma injection on Oct. 20 in Tokyo.
Scioscia anticipates Ohtani will have six pitching appearances in spring training. Ohtani is expected to be part of a rotation that includes Garrett Richards, Matt Shoemaker, Tyler Skaggs and Andrew Heaney. They could go to a six-man rotation.
Mets: Free-agent reliever Anthony Swarzak reportedly agreed to a two-year, $14 million deal. The right-hander, 32, was a combined 6-4 with two saves and a 2.33 ERA in 70 games last season for the White Sox and Brewers.
■ Mets outfielder Michael Conforto said he is feeling good but hasn’t started swinging a bat yet as he works his way back from a shoulder injury. Conforto, who dislocated his left shoulder on a swing during an Aug. 24 game against the Diamondbacks, said he has been rehabbing the shoulder 3-4 times a week.
Cubs: Reliever Brandon Morrow and pitcher Drew Smyly each received twoyear deals. Morrow, 33, went 6-0 with a 2.06 ERA and two saves in 45 appearances for the Dodgers last season. Smyly, expected to miss this season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, will earn $10 million over two years.
Twins: Right-hander Michael Pineda signed a two-year, $10 million contract. Pineda, 28, underwent Tommy John surgery in July and will miss most, if not all, of the 2018 season. The contract is for $2 million in 2018 and $8 million in 2019.
Mariners: Seattle acquired right-hander Shawn Armstrong from Cleveland for some of the international slot money the club had acquired in the hopes of landing Shohei Ohtani. Armstrong, 27, made 21 relief appearances for Cleveland last season and posted a 4.38 ERA.
Athletics: Tweets by Jose Canseco about sexual misconduct and politicians cost him his job as a studio analyst on Athletics telecasts. The former A’s slugger and 1988 AL MVP, now 53, posted several times Tuesday on Twitter. Among them: “What is going on with all these politicians molesting women I’ve been molested by several women and never complained.”
Noteworthy: Bob Costas won the Ford C. Frick Award presented by the baseball Hall of Fame for broadcasting excellence. Costas, 65, will be honored July 28 during induction weekend at Cooperstown, N.Y . ... Lou Gehrig’s 1931 contract with the Yankees sold at auction for $216,000.
Tuesday’s Games Wednesday’s Games
(At) Senators 3, Rangers 2: Bobby Ryan had a goal and an assist and Craig Anderson made 27 saves as Ottawa ended a five-game losing streak.
Stars 5, (at) Islanders 2: Tyler Pitlick scored twice and Jamie Benn had a goal and two assists for Dallas, which won its second straight game
Bruins 3, (at) Red Wings 2 (OT): Brad Marchand assisted on David Pastrnak’s tying goal late in the third period and scored the winner 35 seconds into overtime.
Predators at Canucks: Late
NHL notes
Blue Jackets: Center Brandon Dubinsky will miss six to eight weeks with an orbital bone fracture. He was hurt in a fight Tuesday with Edmonton’s Zack Kassian. The team said there was no damage to the function of the eye or Dubinsky’s vision long term. He was placed on injured reserve.
Devils: Left wing Taylor Hall (knee contusion) has been ruled out of tonight’s game against Montreal.