Angels GM ‘hopeful’ Shohei Ohtani can avoid Tommy John surgery

The dreaded Tommy John surgery has been brought up in relation to Shohei Ohtani, but the Los Angeles Angels hope he can avoid that fate.

After Ohtani landed on the disabled list, Angels general manager Billy Eppler said the hope is that by resting, Ohtani can avoid needing surgery on his strained UCL.

Eppler on possibility Ohtani can avoid Tommy John surgery: "We're hopeful that he can."

— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) June 8, 2018

Whenever the UCL is mentioned for a pitcher, it’s very worrisome, and sometimes a harbinger of surgery. The Angels are desperately hoping that their superstar player won’t have to go through that. He’ll be rested for three weeks and re-evaluated, and they’ll hope that he can return to action after that without any further issues.