The Los Angeles Angels aren’t expecting Shohei Ohtani to return to action until May, but that’s not stopping him from targeting a much quicker return to action.
Ohtani, coming off Tommy John surgery and expected to play exclusively as a DH in 2019, said Sunday that he’s aiming for an Opening Day return, over a month ahead of the team’s target.
Shohei Ohtani said, through his interpreter, that he "would like to make it (back) on Opening Day," even though the Angels are targeting him for May. "That's the thought," Ohtani said. "But I'm not trying to rush myself." pic.twitter.com/82fRj0kSC8
— Alden Gonzalez (@Alden_Gonzalez) February 17, 2019
Considering the Angels had openly said that Ohtani wouldn’t be ready that quickly, this is a very optimistic timeline, and probably unlikely. There’s nothing wrong with Ohtani aiming high as long as he doesn’t push himself too far in a bid to get ready sooner than he’s capable of being ready.
