Angels superstar Shohei Ohtani might not pitch again this season because of soreness in his right arm. He has been scratched from his scheduled start Friday against the Athletics.
Ohtani felt soreness Wednesday while playing catch before the Angels' game vs. the White Sox. Angels manager Joe Maddon said Ohtani could be done pitching if the soreness doesn't go away, but no official decision has been made.
Angels' Shohei Ohtani has a sore arm and may not pitch again this season
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) September 16, 2021
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"If there's any kind of lingering soreness, you may not see him pitch," Maddon said before the Angels' game Thursday, via The Associated Press.
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The Angels will monitor Ohtani's condition but Maddon told reporters that the team won't consult a doctor yet, But with just 2 1/2 weeks remaining in the regular season, Ohtani might not have another chance to pitch this year.
Ohtani (9-2, 3.36 ERA) last pitched on Sept. 10 against the Astros. Maddon told reporters that Ohtani would like to reach 10 wins for the season, but the manager wants his MVP candidate to be careful.
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"[Ten wins] always looks better than nine," Maddon said. "But you can't let that be the driving factor."
Ohtani will not be sitting out completely, however. He will stay in the lineup as Los Angeles' designated hitter. He is third in MLB to the Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the Royals' Salvador Perez with 44 home runs.
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The Angels are 10.5 games back in the American League wild-card race, so there is only a slim chance of them making the postseason. That should give Ohtani and the team more reason to rest his throwing arm.