Ohtani encouraged after his first spring outing on the mound
MESA, ARIZ. » For the first time in more than 1,000 days, Shohei Ohtani walked off a big league mound following what had to be qualified as a successful outing.
Since he first hurt his elbow in June 2018, Ohtani had pitched in three major league games and none of them ended well. He was hurt in two and couldn’t get an out in the third.
Although this one was just a spring training game, the fact that Ohtani reached his prescribed pitch count, had his velocity where it should be and struck out half the batters he faced all made it a good day for Ohtani and the Angels.
Facing the Oakland A’s in a Cactus League game on Friday afternoon, Ohtani recorded five outs, all of them strikeouts. He got one called third strike on Mark
Canha, and he whiffed Matt Olson, Mitch Moreland, Chad Pinder and Canha. He got Canha swinging at a splitter that dove sharply.
Ohtani’s fastball velocity ranged from 96 to 100 mph, according to ballpark Trackman operator. The strikeout of Olson was 100 mph.
Manager Joe Maddon said Ohtani looked comfortable and relaxed, evidenced by the way he casually flipped the ball in the air as he stood on the mound. The improved velocity was a sign that Ohtani’s delivery is back to where it should be, in contrast to last year.
“He’s looked this way the whole camp,” Maddon said. “The delivery is good. I can’t emphasize that enough. Last year he was pushing the ball so much. He was just off. Once he’s ironed that out and his arm is working like it can, that’s why you’re seeing the big numbers.”
Ohtani walked two and he gave up three doubles, two of them ground balls. He was pulled after throwing 41 pitches, including 24 strikes. He said the plan going into the day was to throw 40 pitches.
Ohtani said he was happy with his fastball and his splitter, but not as much with his slider, which he hung to give up the hits. He said he actually enjoyed having the opportunity to pitch with some runners on base.
“I was able to simulate some situations with runners on base,” Ohtani said through his interpreter. “You have to do that in a real game situation. I’m glad I got that out of the way.”
Ohtani said he also had no trouble allowing himself to throw at maximum velocity, which was an issue last year when he first came back from Tommy John surgery.
“Since it was my first game I was not planning on letting it go in the beginning, especially early in counts,” Ohtani said. “As the game went on, I felt better. I started throwing harder, but I think that led to me cutting the ball a couple times, so that’s another thing I need to work on for my next start.”
It’s unclear when his next start will be, but his between starts routine will be different this year than it’s been at any time since he’s been in the majors.
The Angels have talked all spring about how they plan to loosen the restrictions that have been placed on Ohtani throughout his first three seasons in the majors.
He was dealing with injuries in the past two seasons, but even before he was hurt in 2018 the Angels had a strict schedule that allowed him to pitch no more often than once a week and to have the day off as a hitter before and after.
Maddon reiterated on Friday morning that neither of those rules exist now.
“Everything’s open right now,” he said. “All situations are open.”
Maddon said the plan is for Ohtani to pitch as a member of the six-man rotation, just like the other starters. That would mean pitching on five days of rest if there are no off days. An off day, of course, could allow Ohtani to pitch on the same six days of rest he’s had for most of his career, both in the majors and in Japan.
“Whenever his day comes up, his day comes up,” Maddon said. “I think that’s the best way to describe it. We haven’t decided exactly the pecking order, but once that’s established, he will be part of that order, just like everybody else.”
Ohtani said it will be “an adjustment” but “if that’s something Joe wants, I’m all for it.” He said he’ll need to tweak his routine, likely with one bullpen session instead of two between starts.
As for the off days around his pitching, Maddon suggested that having the day off before he pitches might still be more important. Obviously, if Ohtani gets hurt while playing, the Angels could be in a bind for a starter the next day. His work the day after he pitches would be dictated by how Ohtani feels.
“I don’t know how sore he is,” Maddon said. “Just in that initial conversation, we haven’t been able to narrow that down. The day before and the day after, those would be the same conversations. I want to talk to him and ask specifically how he’s feeling.”
The overall reduction of limitations on Ohtani is part of what Maddon has described as an effort to put the player in charge of his own career. He said so far Ohtani seems to be happy with the approach.
“Being more in charge of what he’s doing out there, I think he’s really digging on it,” Maddon said. “And with that, I believe you’re going to see a greater freedom in his game. He’s not going to be concerned about either getting hurt or disappointing somebody. Just go play. Just go be part of the group.”
Ohtani said he’s had a better feeling about his work this spring, especially with regard to pitching.
“The last couple years I had some type of rehab schedule all of my spring training days, but this year is not like that,” he said. “I’m definitely having more fun.”
Notes
Third baseman Anthony Rendon was not in the Angels’ lineup for a second straight day — and the fourth time in the first five exhibition games — but Maddon said there’s nothing wrong with Rendon. “He feels good where he’s at,” Maddon said. “He’s just not playing today. That’s it.” ... Brandon Marsh reported no issues a day after feeling a cramp while legging out a triple. Marsh is still limited to DH duty because of a minor arm issue . ... Junior Guerra, who arrived late to camp because of a visa issue, was scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Friday. Guerra has still not thrown in a game, but he seems to have plenty of time to get enough game action to be ready for Opening Day . ... Jaime Barria will make his first Cactus League appearance with a start on Sunday against the Seattle Mariners.