KEY POINTS

  • Shohei Ohtani is likely done for the season due to a sore arm
  • Angels manager seems to be saving Ohtani for the future
  • Ohtani will remain in the Angels' lineup but will be designated in the hitter role

The Los Angeles Angels' chances of possibly securing a wild card in the American League may have gotten dimmer.

This is following reports that star pitcher Shohei Ohtani may be done for the season due to a sore right arm.

The 27-year-old Japanese player has been scratched in the Angels' game against the Oakland Athletics.

This comes not long after Ohtani reportedly felt soreness while playing catch before the Angels' game against the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday, September 15.

Hence, Angels manager Joe Maddon is taking a cautious approach, suggesting Ohtani could be done for the current MLB season.

However, no official announcement has been made as of this writing.

"If there's any kind of lingering soreness, you may not see him pitch," Maddon said in a report from the Associated Press.

The Los Angeles Angels continue to monitor the condition of the Japanese player. Maddon also said that they have yet to consult a doctor.

But with just two-and-a-half weeks remaining in the regular season, the possibility of seeing Ohtani pitch again is getting lower.

The MLB MVP candidate last pitched on September 10 against the Houston Astros. At that time, Maddon shared how Japanese had wanted to reach 10 wins for this season.

But as far as Maddon is concerned, that should not be a driving factor. Rather, he wants Ohtani to be more careful, aware that there will be more chances moving forward.

"[Ten wins] always looks better than nine," Maddon stated. "But you can't let that be the driving factor."

Los Angeles Angels Shohei Ohtani will make history in the upcoming Major League Baseball all-star game by pitching, batting and competing in the Home Run Derby competition
Los Angeles Angels Shohei Ohtani will make history in the upcoming Major League Baseball all-star game by pitching, batting and competing in the Home Run Derby competition GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / RONALD MARTINEZ

Although the chances of seeing him pitch may be out, Ohtani will remain on the Angels' lineup. He will stay as the team’s designated hitter.

Ohtani is third in MLB to the Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the Royals' Salvador Perez with 44 home runs.

Aside from looking out for the welfare of Ohtani, there is the current status of the Angels. They are 10.5 games behind in the wild-card race of the American League.

Their chances of making the post-season are pretty slim. Hence, it may be in the best interest of the Angels to just rest Ohtani for the remainder of the season and preserve him for upcoming MLB seasons instead.

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