Shohei Ohtani out for remainder of 2023 season with injury
Shohei Ohtani’s season is over. The Los Angeles Angels and MLB superstar was placed on the 10-day injured list, meaning he will miss the remainder of the year.
Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reported the news on Saturday. Ohtani battled an oblique injury, missing an 11th straight game on Friday. Per Yahoo Sports, the star’s locker was also cleaned out.
Ohtani is a unique talent, having the ability to pitch and hit. He’s considered one of the biggest superstars in the game right now. And with him now jumping into free agency, he could potentially land a mammoth contract.
Ohtani ends this season with a .304 batting average, posting 151 hits with 44 home runs and 26 extra-base hits. He also posted a 10-5 record on the mound, leading Angels pitchers in the win category.
Los Angeles (68-80), still has remaining series against the Detroit Tigers, Tampa Bay Rays, Minnesota Twins, Texas Rangers and Oakland Athletics.
After the conclusion of the World Series, Ohtani becomes a free agent. It should make for an interesting offseason in MLB. Ohtani has played in the MLB since 2018, spending his entire career thus far with the Angels.
Ohtani plans to play next season, despite injury
Earlier in September, Ohtani’s agent, Nez Balelo, indicated that the superstar would need surgery at some point. But he doesn’t expect that to hinder his presence on the field during the 2024 MLB season.
No date was provided about a potential surgery — nor were any other specifics.
“Shohei’s gonna be in somebody’s lineup next year DH-ing when the bell rings,” Balelo said, per Yahoo. “There’s not one thing he can’t do right now when it comes to DH-ing. He can lift, he can run, he can slide, take violent swings. He can do anything he wants right now. It doesn’t affect the problem in question.”
Ohtani is already a three-time MLB All-Star and won the AL MVP award during the 2021 season. He was also the AL Rookie of the Year in 2018 and was named the winner of the Silver Slugger Award in 2021.
Not only will Ohtani likely look for a mega contract during the offseason, he also wants to make a run at the postseason. He’s not yet participated in the MLB playoffs. Whichever team has the money and gives the star the best chance to earn a spot in the postseason will likely be where he lands.