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.
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Angels' Shohei Ohtani: In Saturday's lineup
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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.
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Angels' Shohei Ohtani: Battling cramps in both legs
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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.
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Angels' Shohei Ohtani: In lineup Friday
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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.
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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.
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Angels' Shohei Ohtani: Exits with cramping
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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: Moved up to start Thursday
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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.
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Angels' Shohei Ohtani: Not available for trade
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The Angels took Ohtani off the trade market Wednesday, Tom Verducci of Sports Illustrated reports.
After weeks of speculation ahead of the Aug. 1 trade deadline, it appears Ohtani will stay put in Los Angeles as the Angels look to contend for a playoff spot. Although Ohtani is currently having his worst statistical season on the mound (3.71 ERA, 1.12 WHIP), he's been a nightmare for opposing pitchers while slashing .299/.398/.668 with 36 homers and 77 RBI.
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Angels' Shohei Ohtani: Belts 36th homer
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Ohtani went 1-for-3 with a solo home run, an additional run and a walk in Sunday's 7-5 win over Pittsburgh.
After Bryan Reynolds went deep in the first inning to give the Pirates an early lead, Ohtani responded with a solo shot in the bottom of the frame to tie things up. The long ball was the 36th of the campaign for the two-way star, moving him four homers ahead of Matt Olson for the major-league lead. Ohtani has been on a torrid power surge over his past 39 games, slugging 21 home runs and driving in 36 runs while slashing .348/.472/.894 over that span.
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Angels' Shohei Ohtani: Yields four homers in win
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Ohtani (8-5) allowed five runs on six hits and a walk while striking out nine over 6.1 innings to earn the win Friday over the Pirates.
Ohtani has battled various issues on his right middle finger for weeks, but he was able to throw 87 pitches (60 strikes) in this start. The results were mediocre, however -- he allowed four home runs, two of which came from top prospect Henry Davis. At the plate, Ohtani went 0-for-1 with three walks and two runs scored to help his own cause. The two-way star is at a 3.71 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 148:47 K:BB through 111.2 innings over 19 starts. He also has a .305/.400/.676 slash line across 96 contests as a hitter. Ohtani is tentatively lined up for a road start in Toronto next week, if the Angels don't trade him or hold him out for asset protection ahead of the Aug. 1 trade deadline.
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Angels' Shohei Ohtani: Returning to mound Friday
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Ohtani is scheduled to make his next start as a pitcher Friday against the Pirates at Angel Stadium, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.
Ohtani developed a blister and a cracked nail during his most recent outing last Friday versus the Astros, but it hasn't prevented him from serving as the Angels' designated hitter in each of the subsequent five days while going 6-for-17 with three home runs and eight walks. The finger apparently hasn't bothered him during any throwing work he's been able to do over the last few days either, so he's not expected to face any restrictions as he toes the rubber Friday. The upcoming start could be Ohtani's last with the Angels if the team opts to trade the impending free agent ahead of the Aug. 1 deadline.
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Angels' Shohei Ohtani: Goes yard in three-hit game
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Ohtani went 3-for-4 with a two-run home run, a double and a walk in Monday's 4-3 extra-inning win over the Yankees.
Ohtani continues to pummel the ball -- he's knocked four homers during his active six-game hitting streak. The two-way superstar had a chance at the cycle Monday, but struck out in the ninth inning to fall a triple shy of the feat. His homer Monday was his 35th of the campaign, surpassing his total from 157 contests last year in just 93 games this season. He's 11 shy of matching his career high from 2021. Ohtani has maintained a superb .306/.391/.677 slash line with 75 RBI, 68 runs scored, 11 stolen bases, 16 doubles and six triples.
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Angels' Shohei Ohtani: Slugs homer No. 34
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Ohtani went 1-for-4 with a solo home run, an additional run and a walk in a loss to the Astros on Sunday.
Ohtani extended his MLB homer lead in the ninth inning with a solo shot to center field that brought the Angels to within one run. The two-way star has gone deep three times in his past four contests, driving in five runs over that span. Ohtani has already tied his long ball total from last season and is 12 homers away from the career-high 46 he swatted during his MVP 2021 campaign.
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Angels' Shohei Ohtani: Sparks rally with homer
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Ohtani went 1-for-5 with a solo home run and a walk in Saturday's 13-12 extra-inning win over the Astros.
Ohtani continues to be hampered on the mound by a blister and cracked fingernail on his right middle finger, but it's not slowing him down at the plate. He's gone 7-for-17 over his last four contests with two homers, four RBI and a triple in that span. The two-way superstar is slashing .302/.386/.661 with 33 homers, 72 RBI, 65 runs scored and 11 stolen bases over 91 contests as a hitter. Manager Phil Nevin also indicated Ohtani should be able to make his next scheduled pitching start, which is tentatively expected to be against the Pirates as long as his troublesome finger cooperates.
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Angels' Shohei Ohtani: Expected to make next start
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Angels manager Phil Nevin said Saturday that he expects Ohtani (finger) to make his next start on the mound, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.
Ohtani's right middle finger has been giving him problems across his last three starts, but it doesn't seem like it will cost him any playing time on the mound. While Ohtani's pitching performance has dipped recently to the tune of a 5.51 ERA and 1.53 WHIP over his last three outings, he is still slashing .349/.442/.860 with six homers, nine RBI and 11 runs scored since June 27.
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Angels' Shohei Ohtani: In Saturday's lineup
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Ohtani (finger) will bat second and serve as the designated hitter Saturday against the Astros, Erica Weston of Bally Sports West reports.
Ohtani has been dealing with a blister and a cracked nail, which forced him to exit his start Friday against the Astros early. It's possible his bothersome finger winds up delaying his next start in the mound, but it won't affect his ability to hit, at least not to the point that the Angels feel compelled to rest him.
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Angels' Shohei Ohtani: Leaves start with trainer
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Ohtani left his start Friday against the Astros with a trainer in the top of the sixth inning, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.
While manager Phil Nevin said pregame that he did not expect any more problems with Ohtani's troublesome right middle finger, it was seemingly the culprit behind the megastar's early exit. He's been dealing with a blister and a cracked nail on the finger. Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register notes that Ohtani's velocity was down and his command was off Friday. He allowed four runs (three earned) on five hits and three walks while striking out seven over five innings.
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Angels' Shohei Ohtani: Feels good after bullpen session
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Ohtani threw a bullpen session Thursday and had no issues with his finger, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.
Ohtani's right middle finger had been giving him trouble over his past couple of starts. Most recently, he exited his start July 4 against San Diego due to a blister after surrendering five runs over five innings. Luckily, it seems the issue has subsided, and Ohtani should be able to return to the mound Friday against Houston.
