Angels manager hints Shohei Ohtani could resume pitching in September
The return of “Sho-Time” on the mound for the Los Angeles Angels could come next month.
Shohei Ohtani has not pitched since June 6 because of an elbow injury. He’s been working his way back, first getting cleared to resume a throwing program last month, and then throwing simulated games and doing bullpen work this month.
Ohtani threw a 50-pitch simulated game on Monday, which left Angels manager Mike Scioscia saying his stuff looked good.
Scioscia said Angels will continue to have Shohei Ohtani pitch on 6 days rest if he comes back this September. Scioscia said today’s 50-pitch sim game was good. He said Ohtani’s stuff is good enough to get major league hitters out right now. He has a bullpen in a couple days
— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) August 27, 2018
According to the OC Register’s Jeff Fletcher, Ohtani said he does not need more simulated games.
Ohtani just said he doesn’t think he needs any more simulated games. But he said it’s not up to him. #Angels
— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) August 28, 2018
Ohtani appears to be getting close to a return to the rotation. The interesting part about him is that since he’s a regular part of the Angels’ batting lineup, he might not do any minor league rehab starts, so his first action would be against big league lineups.
Pitching aside, Ohtani has been crushing the ball as a batter lately. He’s batting .327 with five homers, 15 RBIs and a 1.115 OPS this month.