While it appeared at the time that Shohei Ohtani had suffered a bad injury on Sunday, it sounds like the Los Angeles Angels have averted a disaster, at least for now.
Ohtani was a designated hitter for the Angels Sunday in a game against the Chicago White Sox on Sunday when he was suddenly pulled for a pinch-hitter in the ninth inning. The Angels announced that he was removed from the game for right groin tightness.
Shohei Ohtani was removed from the game with right groin tightness.
— Angels PR (@LAAngelsPR) May 1, 2022
While the Angels won the game 6-5, there were some serious concerns that this could lead to Ohtani missing time. At the very least, he could miss his next scheduled pitching start. However, the initial reports out of the locker room sounded positive.
No more news on Ohtani yet. He was smiling in the clubhouse though.
Syndergaard is pitching on Tuesday in Boston. That may have been what they’d have done even before the Ohtani thing but now it gives him at least one extra day.
— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) May 1, 2022
When discussing the injury, however, Shohei told reporters that not only is the injury minimal but he plans on playing on Monday.
Shohei Ohtani said “as of now I plan on playing tomorrow.”
— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) May 1, 2022
Shohei Ohtani said he was taken out for precautionary reasons and expects to play tomorrow, per his interpreter Ippei Mizuhara
— Rhett Bollinger (@RhettBollinger) May 1, 2022
So the removal from the game seems to have been more precautionary than anything. Angels manager Joe Maddon told reporters that his star might have tweaked his groin running to first in the seventh inning and they didn’t want to aggravate it further.
The Angels want Ohtani available as much as possible. He’s currently hitting .228 with four home runs, 12 RBIs, and four stolen bases this season. On the mound, he’s 2-2 with a 4.19 ERA and 30 strikeouts.
The update that the Angels pitcher/hitter will likely continue business as usual was music to a lot of people’s ears in MLB circles.
this guy is unreal lmao. his energy is such a gift https://t.co/nRkN20JoMz
— cg (@urmoms1stbowman) May 1, 2022
Angels win.
Shohei Ohtani isn’t in a groove yet at the plate. Anthony Rendon is much better than he’s playing. Jared Walsh hasn’t been great yet.
Yet the Angels are 15-8 and leading the AL West. This team is different. Something special going on in Anaheim this year.
— Ben Verlander (@BenVerlander) May 1, 2022
https://t.co/V246tFwEKX pic.twitter.com/6heIGAL9h3
— AngelsWin.com (@AngelsWin) May 1, 2022
IF YOU DONT GO TO BED RIGHT NOW https://t.co/oDku0rLw2O
— t ⁷ shohei SZN (@joonarcade) May 1, 2022