Shohei Ohtani cleared to begin throwing, could pitch again this season
Shohei Ohtani has already returned to the Los Angeles Angels lineup as a hitter, and now seeing him on the mound again may not be too far off either.
The Angels announced on Thursday that the rookie star has been medically cleared to begin a throwing program after showing continued improvement in the healing of his elbow ligament, per Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY Sports. That means that Ohtani could possibly pitch again this season.
Shohei Ohtani may pitch again this year, after all. The #Angels announce that he has been medically cleared to begin a throwing program after his ligament continues to show improved healing.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 19, 2018
Ohtani, 24, missed nearly a month of action after landing on the disabled list with a Grade 2 sprain of the UCL in his right elbow. He returned as a batter on Jul. 3 though and has made 11 total appearances since coming off the DL.
Ohtani’s progress is in line with what the Angels have been saying all along. However, the team is a middling 49-48 on the season and nearly ten games out of a playoff spot, so it would make little sense for them to push Ohtani to pitch if it’s not necessary.
