In each of the last two seasons, the Los Angeles Angels have used a six-man starting rotation to allow two-way standout Shohei Ohtani extra rest in between appearances.

Ohtani was able to act as the Angels’ designated hitter on most nights while pitching at a high level every five days as a result of the plan.

After undergoing elbow surgery, Ohtani will not be able to pitch next season, and his future with the Angels is uncertain as he approaches free agency.

According to Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com, regardless of whether Ohtani resigns, the Angels intend to return to a five-man starting rotation in 2024:

It means the club will most likely switch to a five-man rotation rather than the modified six-man rotation it used with him in the mix. The Angels have several internal candidates, like Patrick Sandoval, Reid Detmers, Chase Silseth, Griffin Canning, and Tyler Anderson, but they will need to add one or two more starters.

As of now, Tyler Anderson, Griffin Canning, Reid Detmers, Patrick Sandoval, and Chase Silseth are among the Angels’ starting rotation choices for 2024.

However, following a disastrous 2023 season in which the team failed to make the playoffs, the squad will most certainly attempt to add at least one or two more starters through free agency or trade.

Lucas Giolito, Sonny Gray, Clayton Kershaw, Jordan Montgomery, Aaron Nola, Blake Snell, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto are among the top free-agent starting pitchers.

Dom Chiti has rejoined the Angels organization.

Dom Chiti has returned to the Angels organization as a Minor League pitching coordinator. He joined the organization in 2020 as a special assistant to general manager Perry Minasian before becoming the temporary bullpen coach the following year.

Chiti spent the previous season as the New York Mets’ full-time bullpen coach.