Last week, Shohei Ohtani made his return to the mound for his first pitching appearance since undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2018, and it was a very rough outing. Ohtani failed to record an out against six Oakland A’s batters over 30 pitches, and allowed five earned runs. What may have concerned the Angels more than the results was that Ohtani’s velocity was way down, with his fastball averaging 92.9 mph (after 96.7 mph in 2018).
Well, Ohtani made his second start of the 2020 MLB season on Sunday, and it was once again a huge struggle. Ohtani threw 1 2/3 innings, allowing two earned runs and five walks before being removed in the second inning.
The first inning was actually completed in 1-2-3 fashion by Ohtani, but he walked five batters in the second inning — and threw a wild pitch — while recording just two outs over 42 pitches.
Ohtani's second inning:
Walk
Walk
Walk
Strikeout
Strikeout
Walk
WalkHe's down after throwing 42 pitches in the inning.
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) August 2, 2020
Now, it’s important to note that Ohtani should’ve gotten out of the inning with zero runs allowed, but home plate umpire Alfonso Marquez decided that this 94 mph fastball in the zone was instead Ball 4, resulting in a bases loaded walk and Houston’s first run.
Shohei Ohtani should’ve been out of this inning pic.twitter.com/znjj5pyu6Y
— Brent Maguire (@bmags94) August 2, 2020
Additionally, Ohtani was hitting 95-97 mph on the radar gun, so we at least know it’s there.
Well, at least Ohtani put to rest concerns about being hurt, since he was consistently at 95-97 with his FB today.
However, he walked 5 in the 2nd inning and didn't get out of the inning. After walking in two runs and throwing 42 (!!) pitches in the inning, he was pulled.
— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) August 2, 2020
However, the velocity fell hard on his final pitches; granted, in a 42-pitch inning on an 82-degree day, that could be normal fatigue setting in for a pitcher.
The end of Ohtani's outing may have had some warning signs there pic.twitter.com/mMPiyhlycb
— Mike Petriello (@mike_petriello) August 2, 2020
Through 1 2/3 innings on the season, Ohtani has allowed three hits, seven earned runs (37.80 ERA), eight walks, and has struck out three batters. It’s very, very early, and at least Ohtani showed that he has 95-97 mph in the tank still, but it’s not exactly the start to his pitching return that he and the Angels hoped for.
Ohtani has already hit two incredible home runs, at least, and will add value to the Angels one way or another in 2020.
UPDATE: Well, this is concerning. Ohtani “expressed some discomfort after pitching” and will undergo an MRI, according to Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register.
The Angels have sent Shohei Ohtani for an MRI. He expressed some discomfort after pitching. They don't have MRI results yet.
— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) August 3, 2020
UPDATE II: The Angels announced on Monday that Ohtani has been diagnosed with a grade 1-2 strain of the flexor pronator mass. They added, “a general timetable for beginning a throwing progression following this injury is 4-6 weeks.”
Update on Shohei Ohtani: pic.twitter.com/hZ8RJJzEdN
— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) August 3, 2020
Now, it appears that Ohtani may be able to keep playing as a hitter, but that news may mean his season is already over as a pitcher. He can’t keep begin throwing for 4-6 weeks, which immediately takes us into September (and potentially well into September). And it’s hard to see the Angels rushing him back after what what they just witnessed in his return from a two-year absence on the mound.
UPDATE III: As expected, Shohei Ohtani won’t pitch again this season, according to Angels manager Joe Maddon.
Maddon said Shohei Ohtani will not pitch this season, but that he still sees him as a two-way player. He thinks he’ll benefit from a full, normal spring training.
— Alden Gonzalez (@Alden_Gonzalez) August 4, 2020