- Los Angeles Angels. Can Shohei Ohtani still hit despite UCL injury?
- MLB. UCL tear recovery time: When will Shohei Ohtani return for Los Angeles Angels?
Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Angels will visit the Mets next as many fans want to see the Japanese sensation play against their team, however, he is currently not pitching due to an injury and may come on board only as a DH since there is a possibility of him having to face surgery.
Ohtani has a torn UCL injury
The Angels announced yesterday that Ohtani has a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow and this will likely put him on the bench at least for pitching, as Perry Minasian commented when he delivered the news.
MLB: Don't miss all the MLB excitement, more baseball all the time
"I think he needs time to wrap his head around it, talk to the people close to him," Minasian added. "We're in the process of getting second opinions. Once the information is there, he'll make the right decision on what he wants to do, and we'll him, whatever he decides. ... I wouldn't be surprised if he's in New York and he's in the lineup. I know how bad he wants to play."
One of the things that is coming regardless of his elbow, is his impending free agency, and many franchises raise their hand to have him.
However, if Ohtani needs Tommy John surgery again, that will keep him from pitching for at least a complete season as it happened back in 2018 when he had the first surgery.
Ohtani and the Angels played the Cincy Reds on Wednesday and left the field with elbow discomfort, however, played as a designated hitter in the second game as the team faced a doubleheader.
MLB: Don't miss all the MLB excitement, more baseball all the time
Mets players have added their two cents on what would happen if there was an official offer for Ohtani "We'll see," Lindor said. "There is so much that can happen. He's definitely exciting and he's a special player and I am sure anybody would be happy to have him in any clubhouse."
Brandon Nimmo also added that it would definitely be "amazing" Ohtani would leave Los Angeles to play for the Mets.
There is no bigger stage to do it on than New York, but ultimately I think it will come down to where he's comfortable," Nimmo added. "Any team is going to want him. Because of Steve [Cohen] we're looked at as one of the teams that can afford him, but there are going to be quite a few teams that want his abilities and I think it will come down to where he wants to be."