I wonder if it's because of what my physical condition is like. LA Angels star Shohei Ohtani (29) even used a double to miss the team's commemorative photo shoot in 2023. In addition, LA Angels manager Phil Nevin excluded Ohtani from the starting lineup despite his willingness to play.
American media outlet Associated Press reported on the 6th (Korean time), "Ohtani is unable to attend the team photo shoot event. He had to undergo a test due to oblique pain he felt on the 5th. The LA Angels had a stand-in wear the number 17 uniform. “He said.
As the season nears its end, major league clubs take commemorative photos with members who played together that year. In that sense, Ohtani, who brought many victories to the LA Angels this season, was an indispensable player. As a batter, in 135 games, Ohtani had a batting average of 0.304, 44 home runs, 95 RBI, 102 runs, 20 stolen bases, an on-base percentage of 0.412, a slugging percentage of 0.654, and an OPS (on-base percentage + slugging percentage) of 1.066. As a pitcher, he recorded 10 wins and 5 losses in 23 games, an ERA of 3.14, and 167 strikeouts in 132 innings. Ohtani, a 10-win pitcher who is tied for first place in the Major League's home runs category, is considered a strong American League MVP candidate even if he no longer plays.
However, Otani could not stand side by side with his colleagues. He was even left out of the starting lineup for two consecutive days following the previous day (5th). According to the American media outlet Orange County Register, Ohtani appealed that his physical condition was good enough to play, but it was reported that coach Nevin himself issued a ban from playing.
In a pre-game interview with the Baltimore Orioles, Coach Nevin said, "Ohtani will be in the picture (even though we weren't able to film with him)," and added, "Ohtani wants to play right now. He wants to play, and he's embarrassed (by our decision)." "We want Ohtani to play, but we need to know for sure what his current condition is."
The LA Angels' starting lineup against the Baltimore Orioles on the 6th (Korean time) without Shohei Ohtani. /Photo=LA Angels official SNS
Due to the strong will of the LA Angels, 스포츠무료중계 Ohtani was left out of the starting lineup for the fourth time this season. In some ways, the club's decision was natural. Ohtani was excluded from the starting lineup after feeling pain in his oblique muscle during batting training before the game the day before. The oblique muscle, or the side muscle, is a common injury site for hitters, and in severe cases, it takes more than a month to rehabilitate.
Ohtani's physical condition, who was already diagnosed with a rupture of the medial collateral ligament of his right elbow on the 24th of last month, is not normal. Also, unlike the club that recommended elbow ligament joint surgery (Tommy John surgery), the player's agent's statement is different, and a more precise and accurate diagnosis is needed.
Amid the risk of undergoing surgery, Otani's agent, CAA Sports' Nezu Valero, said, "On a positive note, the ligament that was sutured during Tommy John surgery in 2018 was not damaged again. This time, the injured area was on the other side of the elbow ligament and underwent Tommy John surgery. He offered a different opinion, saying, “It is most likely that I will receive the surgery, but I may not have the surgery.”
Ohtani becomes a free agent after this season. Until early July, when there were no signs of injury, he was evaluated as the first player in major league history to receive a contract worth more more info than $500 million (approximately 666.7 billion won), but it was virtually in vain afterward due to an elbow injury. As this is his second surgery, if he undergoes Tommy John surgery, he will not be able to stand on the mound until at least 2025, which will inevitably have a negative impact on his contract.
The player's will is firm. “Ohtani loves being on the mound. There is no doubt that he will come back from injury,” said Valero. “He will continue to hit and pitch as he has done over the past few years.” Otani's strong will was conveyed.