CHICAGO – Two-way star Shohei Ohtani won’t be playing for the Los Angeles Angels on Friday due to a sore right arm that could knock him out as a pitcher for the remainder of the season.
“If there is any persistent pain, you may not set it up,” Angels manager Joe Maddon said ahead of Thursday’s game against the Chicago White Sox.
Ohtani (9-2, 3.36 ERA) felt sore muscles while playing catch on Wednesday. Maddon said he raised the possibility of the likely AL MVP being shut down on the hill during a meeting for the remainder of the season.
Maddon said there are currently no plans for Ohtani to be examined by a doctor, nor has it been determined when he would try to resume the catch.
Ohtani, 27, has not played since September 10, when he was marked for six runs on nine hits in 3⅓ innings in a loss in Houston.
Maddon said Ohtani would like to continue pitching to take his 10th win.
“[Ten wins] Always looks better than nine, “said Maddon.” But that can’t be the driving factor. “
The arm discomfort will not prevent Ohtani from continuing to serve as a designated batsman. Ohtani entered Thursday’s game against the White Sox with 44 home runs and 74 extra base hits in second place in the major leagues and fourth with a .599 slugging percentage.
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