Understanding Shohei Ohtani’s future after devastating UCL tear
USA TODAY Sports’ Bob Nightengale explains the ramifications of Shohei Ohtani’s UCL tear and how it’s affecting him physically and financially.
SportsPulse, USA TODAY
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani’s locker was mostly emptied at Angel Stadium, and the Los Angeles Angels refused to say why Friday night.
The two-way superstar missed his 11th straight game with an oblique muscle injury Friday night when the Angels lost 11-2 to Detroit. Although Ohtani was at the stadium before the game, the future free agent’s locker was largely empty afterward.
Almost all personal items had been removed from his locker and the empty adjoining cubicle. A fully-filled bag with a 2023 All-Star Game logo sat in front of his booth where his shoes would normally be, and only a few practice jerseys hung on the rack.
Nearly half an hour after reporters were allowed into the locker room and noticed the absence of Ohtani’s belongings, an Angels spokesperson said the team would release more information on the development on Saturday.
Ohtani will be a free agent this winter after six seasons with the Angels, and his future has been a constant source of speculation this season, only increasing after the Angels bowed out of the playoffs in August. Ohtani has remained tight-lipped about his future and his recent injuries have further changed the discussion about his long-term plans.
He has already been shut down as a pitcher this season due to a torn ligament in his right elbow, but the Angels had hoped he could return as a hitter this month after straining his obliques in field practice. stick last week.
Ohtani is still the favorite for his second AL MVP award in three years, but Texas’ Corey Seager could win the voters’ minds. Ohtani, who went 10-5 with a 3.14 ERA this season, leads the American League with 44 home runs, and his 1.066 OPS is second-best in the majors, behind Seager.