Shohei Ohtani still a week away from return to Angels
Shohei Ohtani is still a week away from a return to the Los Angeles Angels.
Ohtani is working his way back from Tommy John surgery he underwent in October and getting close to a return as a hitter. He took live batting practice with his teammates two weeks ago for the first time since the surgery and launched a homer.
Though he’s getting closer, Angels manager Brad Ausmus said on Tuesday that Ohtani still needs more time.
Ohtani has 30 PAs in sim games. Ausmus said he just needs more. He said the medical staff wanted to progress slowly, so thats why they haven’t given him 10 in a day.
— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) April 30, 2019
Ohtani will not join the Angels for their two-game series against the Houston Astros in Mexico this weekend, which leaves the team’s game next week on May 7 against the Detroit Tigers as the next closest for a possible return.
The Angels have long signaled that a May return for Ohtani was anticipated.