Was the Dodgers’ lack of spending in the offseason part of a larger plan to get Ohtani?
The 2023 season may be just beginning, but it won’t be long until the sports world starts wondering where Shuhei Ohtani will end up next season. The Dodgers could certainly play a role, and Bob Nightengale explains how realistic that is.
Sports seriously, USA Today
Los Angeles Angels two-way star Shuhei Ohtani exited Tuesday’s game against the San Diego Padres early with blisters on the middle finger of his hand. He said afterward that he would likely not play in next week’s All-Star Game due to the injury.
A right-handed Ohtani was pulled off 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 Cronnworth on three pitches, the first time in Ohtani’s career that he pitched back-to-back homers. He walked off the field with a coach as the Angels trailed the Padres, 5-1.
Otani was dealing with a split nail on the same finger as the blister, an issue that pushed back his scheduled starting date by one day. He did not return to the lineup as a designated hitter, as the Angels called on Joe Adell to pinch-hit when his place in the lineup was returned to the top of the ninth inning.
Ohtani was named a two-way player for the third consecutive year over the weekend after being selected by the players to the American League staff and voted as a designated hitter by the fans. But with the injury, 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 DH, but Ohtani said he doesn’t expect to participate in the Midsummer Classic.
“It will be very difficult. So for now I plan not to promote,” Otani said through an interpreter.
Los Angeles Angels: Mike Trout has a broken femur, most likely six to eight weeks
It’s the Angels’ latest hit. Earlier in Tuesday’s game against the Padres, Angels third baseman Anthony Rendon walked out in the top of the fourth inning with a bruise after fouling a ball off his leg. Mike Trout also came out of Monday’s 10-3 loss to the Padres early after suffering a fractured fibula 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.
Otani, Rendon and Trout each account for 44% of the Angels’ salaries, according to ESPN Stats & Info.
“When I came out of the game, I was in the moment, so we’ll see if you move forward in the next few days,” Ohtani said. “On the supply side, I have nine or 10 days until the next start so hopefully I can recover in time.”
Angels manager Phil Nevin said he did not believe the blister would have a significant impact on Ohtani’s hitting ability in the future.
Contributing: Associated Press
“Typical food guru. Problem solver. Devoted beer practitioner. Professional reader. Baconaholic.”