Ohtani to hit; undecided on surgery

Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani says he plans to finish this season as the team’s designated hitter and hasn’t decided yet if he’ll have Tommy John surgery.

The 24-year-old rookie maintains he’ll be able to return next season as a DH, even though he might not be able to throw again until 2020.

“Nothing’s set right now,” Ohtani said through an interpreter. “I have a few options out there. I’m still trying to look into every option. And I will end up making a decision hopefully toward the end of the season.”

The Angels announced Wednesday that an MRI showed Ohtani had new damage in his pitching elbow, and that Tommy John surgery was the recommended course of action. Ohtani, who throws right-handed and bats left-handed, hit two home runs that night in Texas.

“Swinging doesn’t affect my elbow in any way,” Ohtani said. “I feel like I’m progressing as a hitter right now. I’m getting as many experiences as I can while the games count.”

Ohtani is hitting .287 with 18 home runs and 47 RBIs. As a pitcher, he’s 4-2 with a 3.31 ERA in 10 starts.

Ohtani was diagnosed with a sprained right ulnar collateral ligament after a start on June 6. After receiving a platelet-rich plasma injection and an injection of stem cells, he was hitting again in early July and returned to the mound with a start Sunday in Houston.

Ohtani lasted only 21⁄ innings against the Astros, and he had a drastic drop in velocity during the game.

Ohtani said he wasn’t surprised by the recommendation for reconstructive elbow surgery.

“Somewhere in the back of my mind, I was preparing for the Tommy John,” Ohtani said.