Was the Dodgers lack of offseason spending part of a bigger plan to get Ohtani?
The 2023 season may just be starting, but it won’t be long until the sports world starts to wonder where Shohei Ohtani will end up next season. The Dodgers could certainly be in play and Bob Nightengale explains how realistic that is.
Sports Seriously, USA TODAY
Los Angeles Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani exited Tuesday’s game against the San Diego Padres early due to a blister on the middle finger of his pitching hand. He said afterwards that he likely won’t pitch in next week’s All-Star Game due to the injury.
The right-handed Ohtani was pulled from the pitching mound at Petco Park in the bottom of the sixth inning after giving up back-to-back home runs to Xander Bogaerts and Jake Cronenworth on three pitches, the first time in Ohtani’s career that he gave up consecutive homers. He exited the field with a trainer as the Angels trailed the Padres, 5-1.
Ohtani has been dealing with a cracked fingernail on the same finger the blister is on, an issue that pushed back his scheduled start by a day. He did not return to the lineup as a designated hitter, with the Angels calling on Jo Adell to pinch hit for him when his spot in the lineup came back up in the top of the ninth inning.
Ohtani was named a two-way All-Star for the third straight year over the weekend after he was selected for the American League pitching staff by players and voted as a designated hitter by fans. With the injury, however, it’s not clear if Ohtani will start next week’s All-Star Game at T-Mobile Park in Seattle. He may still be the starting DH, but Ohtani said he doesn’t expect to pitch during the Midsummer Classic.
“It’s going to be pretty tough. As of now I’m planning on not pitching,” Ohtani said through an interpreter.
LOS ANGELES ANGELS: Mike Trout suffers broken hamate bone, likely out six to eight weeks
It’s the latest blow for the Angels. Earlier in Tuesday’s matchup against the Padres, Angels third baseman Anthony Rendon exited in the top of the fourth inning with a contusion after fouling a ball off his shin. Mike Trout also exited Mondays’ 10-3 loss to the Padres early after he suffered a fractured hamate bone in his left hand while at the plate. He was placed on the injured list on Tuesday and is expected to miss six to eight weeks.
Ohtani, Rendon and Trout represent 44% of the Angels’ payroll, according to ESPN Stats & Info.
“When I came out of the game I was kind of in the moment, so we will see about going forward the next few days,” Ohtani said. “On the pitching side, I have like nine, 10 days until the next start so hopefully I will heal in time.”
Angels manager Phil Nevin said he doesn’t believe the blister will have a significant impact on Ohtani’s hitting ability going forward.
Contributing: Associated Press
