Ohtani (hand) said after leaving his start Thursday versus the Mariners that he's not sure whether he'll need to skip a turn in the rotation, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.
Ohtani was removed as a pitcher after just four innings (59 pitches) after experiencing cramping in his right middle finger. It is something that has lingered over the last week, but he did remain in Thursday's game as the Angels' designated hitter and went 2-for-2 with a solo homer, two walks and two runs scored in what was a 5-3 victory. He tallied four strikeouts in his four scoreless innings on the mound, scattering three hits and one walk.
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Angels' Shohei Ohtani: Pulled as pitcher with cramps
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Ohtani was removed from his start Thursday versus the Mariners due to cramping in his right hand and fingers, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.
Ohtani began feeling the cramps in the top of the fourth inning, though he stayed in the game as the Angels' designated hitter and drew a walk in the bottom of that same frame. Then came an intentional walk, a stolen base and a run scored in the bottom of the sixth, followed by his 40th homer of the year in the bottom of the eighth. He also laced a single to right in the bottom of the first, going 2-for-2 with two RBI and two runs at the dish. The two-way superstar finished his pitching duties having scattered three hits and one walk over four scoreless innings. He struck out four.
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Angels' Shohei Ohtani: Collects 13th steal
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Ohtani went 1-for-4 with a stolen base in Tuesday's 5-1 loss to Atlanta.
He fanned twice against Spencer Strider, with the first being the right-hander's 200th strikeout of the season, but Ohtani salvaged his night by singling and stealing his 13th bag of the year in the sixth inning, extending his current hitting streak to six games. In addition to his exploits on the mound, the 29-year-old is having the best campaign of his MLB career at the plate, slashing .304/.406/.676 -- personal bests in all three categories -- with a major-league leading 39 homers, plus 81 runs and 81 RBI through 106 contests.
Ohtani (calves) will serve as the Angels' designated hitter and bat second Saturday against Toronto, Erica Weston of Bally Sports West reports.
Ohtani has exited early in both of the Angels' last two games, the first time due to cramping in his back and the second time due to cramping in both of his calves. After being re-evaluated Saturday, Ohtani looks like he'll be able to stay in the lineup and serve in his usual DH role, though the Angels will likely keep a close eye on him to ensure his recent cramping doesn't develop into a lingering issue. The two-way star has gone 5-for-18 with four homers, five RBI and seven runs scored in his last five games while also tossing a one-hit shutout during that stretch.
Angels' Shohei Ohtani: Battling cramps in both legs
Rotowire
Ohtani was lifted from Friday's 4-1 loss to the Blue Jays in the ninth inning after experiencing cramping in both of his calves, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports. He went 2-for-4 with a solo home run -- his 39th of the season -- before exiting.
Before exiting the second game of the Angels' doubleheader with the Tigers on Thursday due to cramping, Ohtani slugged home runs in his final two plate appearances of the day. After being cleared to serve as the Angels' designated hitter Friday, Ohtani took Kevin Gausman deep in the first inning to bring his streak to three consecutive plate appearances with a long ball. Ohtani couldn't finish the game, however, as he was pulled in favor of pinch hitter Michael Stefanic in the ninth even though the bases were loaded. Angels manager Phil Nevin said Ohtani will be re-evaluated Saturday, but the skipper noted that at this stage, he's "not even thinking" about the possibility of the two-way superstar going on the injured list, per the Associated Press. Even if Ohtani's re-evaluation reveals nothing concerning, it wouldn't be surprising if he received a day off Saturday after exiting early in each of the past two games. Nevin has already noted that Ohtani will make his next start as a pitcher this coming Thursday at home versus the Mariners, allowing the 29-year-old to get six days' rest rather than his usual five after he tossed a season-high 111 pitches in his one-hit shutout of the Tigers in Game 1 of this past Thursday's doubleheader.
Ohtani (cramps) is serving as the Angels' designated hitter and batting second Friday at Toronto.
Ohtani was pulled from the second half of Thursday's doubleheader against the Tigers due to cramps, but all is well leading into the Angels' three-game weekend set versus the Blue Jays. The two-way superstar has posted a sensational 1.070 OPS with 38 homers, 80 RBI, 12 steals and 79 runs through 101 games this season. He's also pitched to a 3.43 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 156:50 K:BB in 20 starts covering 120.2 innings.
Ohtani was removed from Game 2 of Thursday's doubleheader against Detroit due to cramping, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.
Ohtani put up a performance for the ages Thursday, pitching a complete-game shutout in Game 1 and blasting two homers during the nightcap. He seemed to be grabbing at his back while rounding the bases after his second home run and was later pinch hit for. Fantasy managers should consider Ohtani day-to-day for now.
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Angels' Shohei Ohtani: Expected back Friday
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Ohtani (cramping) is expected to be in the lineup to serve as the designated hitter Friday against Blue Jays, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.
Ohtani exited the second game of Thursday's doubleheader against the Tigers with cramping, but the issue doesn't appear to be serious. He had an incredible day, pitching a complete-game shutout in the first contest before blasting two homers in the latter matchup before his exit.
Ohtani will serve as the Angels' starting pitcher in the first game of Thursday's doubleheader with the Tigers, MLB.com reports.
Heading into the week, Ohtani was lined up to take the hill for Friday's series opener in Toronto, but the Angels opted to move him up a day in the pitching schedule after Wednesday's postponement created a twin bill for the series finale in Detroit. Ohtani will bat second for the Angels in Game 1, and manager Phil Nevin already indicated that the two-way superstar will serve as the Angels' designated hitter in Game 2. Ohtani should have a busy day ahead of him Thursday, and expect the Angels to get everything they can out of the pending free agent over the next two months after Tom Verducci of Sports Illustrated reported Wednesday that the Halos have elected to take the 29-year-old off the trade market.
