With a record of 68-78, 10 games below 500, the Los Angeles Angels are now unable to create a winning product on the field. a significant portion of which has to do with Shohei Ohtani’s exclusion from the starting lineup because he is still recovering from an ongoing ailment.
Ohtani has struggled with a series of illnesses this year, most notably a damaged right elbow that prevented him from pitching as a starter for the rest of the year. But the most recent blemish on his health record is a right oblique injury, which regrettably prevents him from hitting.
Fans saw Ohtani make another run for the Most Valuable Player Award, but he has subsequently been forced to cut back on the number of games he plays. Ohtani’s absence from the Angels’ order diminishes the motivation to keep a watch on him in a free-agent year, according to Jeff Fletcher of the O.C. Register:
Nevin remarked, “I know people come to see him, especially while we’re at home. “I recognize your annoyance. Absolutely. When this began, no one considered it to be a significant problem. He even said, “I think I can go in a day or two,” to me. And I did tell you people that. Well, that took a little bit longer than we anticipated. But I still believe that it’s really close. And we’ll watch for him to announce a playable window.
When Ohtani gives the Angels the go-ahead to schedule him, they are at his mercy. The team is now in a hazy area as a result of that level of control. One that stirs up controversy about the two-way star’s realization that his long-term objectives are more essential than straining himself to play through an ailment that might not be fully healed.
Angels anticipate Shohei Ohtani’s comeback soon.
He made progress while on the disabled list for a strained oblique and hopes to play against the Mariners at T-Mobile Park on Monday. However, Nevin’s right oblique flared up, which led to a late scratch.
However, Nevin noted that Ohtani has made a return seem likely, perhaps as soon as Wednesday against the Mariners in the series finale.