Current:Home > MarketsShohei Ohtani to have 'some type of procedure,' but agent says he'll remain two-way star -ApexWealth
Shohei Ohtani to have 'some type of procedure,' but agent says he'll remain two-way star
View
Date:2025-04-13 17:49:39
Baseball fans — and those of the Los Angeles Angels, at least for now — got some good news about star player Shohei Ohtani.
In the first public comments from Ohtani's camp since it was revealed that he had torn the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, the second time he has suffered the injury, Ohtani's agent Nez Balelo told reporters Monday that Ohtani intends to remain a two-way player, despite the injury.
"There's not a question in his mind that he's going to come back and he's going to continue to do both," Balelo said of Ohtani's future pitching and hitting, according to ESPN.
The tear was publicly revealed August 23, in the middle of a doubleheader against the Cincinnati Reds. The injury presents a seismic shift for Ohtani's future, as he is set to become one of the most coveted free agents in baseball history, in large part because of his immense value as both a premier slugger and star pitcher.
Balelo confirmed that Ohtani will undergo "some type of procedure" to mend the ailment and indicated that Ohtani will at least be ready to hit at the start of next season. The one that has been the standard for these injuries, Tommy John surgery, would keep him off the mound for the entirety of the 2024 season; Ohtani has already had the surgery, in October 2018.
FOLLOW THE MONEY: MLB player salaries and payrolls for every major league team
On Monday, Balelo did not offer specifics for Ohtani's treatment plan this time, declining to disclose whether Ohtani would be a candidate for a less invasive procedure.
"It's completely different," Balelo said of the most recent UCL tear, before adding that the graft from the October 2018 Tommy John surgery is "all together, all intact, no problems. Everything looks good."
Balelo also said doctors told him that the ligament tear was "the best-case scenario for the situation we're in."
Balelo added that doctors informed Ohtani that continuing to hit as a designated hitter would not impact the UCL tear, which has led to his continued presence in the lineup for Los Angeles.
"He can lift, he can run, he can slide, take violent swings," Balelo said. "He can do anything he wants right now. It doesn't affect the problem in question. We're good. Whatever we decide to get done, we have to take into consideration next year. The way the timetable is going to play out, he's going to be fine when the bell rings in '24."
Ohtani has been posting one of the more productive seasons in MLB history, hitting .304 with 44 home runs, which is tied for the league lead, and 95 RBIs and 20 stolen bases. Prior to his being shut down from pitching after the UCL tear was revealed, Ohtani went 10-5 with a 3.14 ERA and 167 strikeouts in 132 innings pitched.
"Shohei's going to be fine," Balelo said. "Is he going to pitch the rest of the year? No. We already know that. Is he going to get into next year? We don't know yet. So just bear with me on that. But I do know this — no matter what timetable we're dealing with and when we get this done, Shohei's going to be in somebody's lineup next year, DHing when the bell rings. We know that. We're not going to push that. He's going to be good to go."
veryGood! (1)
Related
- Chuck Scarborough signs off: Hoda Kotb, Al Roker tribute legendary New York anchor
- Retired Air Force Maj. Gen. Richard Secord fights on: once in Vietnam, now within family
- Taylor Swift Shares How She Handles Sad or Bad Days Following Terror Plot
- Supermarket store brands are more popular than ever. Do they taste better?
- Pregnant Kylie Kelce Shares Hilarious Question Her Daughter Asked Jason Kelce Amid Rising Fame
- Kate Spade Outlet Sparkles with Up to 73% off (Plus an Extra 15%) – $57 Bags, $33 Wristlets & More
- Democrats are dwindling in Wyoming. A primary election law further reduces their influence
- Car insurance rates could surge by 50% in 3 states: See where they're rising nationwide
- What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
- A Kansas high school football player dies from a medical emergency. It's the 3rd case this month.
Ranking
- Federal Spending Freeze Could Have Widespread Impact on Environment, Emergency Management
- Woman arrested, charged in Elvis Presley Graceland foreclosure scheme
- Massachusetts governor pledges to sign sweeping maternal health bill
- Jennifer Garner Proves She's Living Her Best Life on Ex Ben Affleck's Birthday
- Tree trimmer dead after getting caught in wood chipper at Florida town hall
- Pharmacist blamed for deaths in US meningitis outbreak will plead no contest in Michigan case
- A banner year for data breaches: Cybersecurity expert shows how to protect your privacy
- A hunter’s graveyard shift: grabbing pythons in the Everglades
Recommendation
NFL Week 15 picks straight up and against spread: Bills, Lions put No. 1 seed hopes on line
Police: 2 dead in Tennessee interstate crash involving ambulance
Shootings reported at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland between guards and passing vehicle
No. 1 brothers? Ethan Holliday could join Jackson, make history in 2025 MLB draft
Grammy nominee Teddy Swims on love, growth and embracing change
When does 'Emily in Paris' Season 4 Part 2 come out? Release date, how to watch new episodes
Hurricane Ernesto makes landfall on Bermuda as a category 1 storm
The-Dream calls sexual battery lawsuit 'character assassination,' denies claims