Los Angeles Angels superstar Shohei Ohtani left his pitching start against the San Diego Padres with a trainer in tow, which implies he was hurt. It was likely the end of his start regardless, due to the back-to-back home runs he just gave up.
While it may not have been his best start, Ohtani suffering an injury is the last possible thing the Angels can afford.
The Angels will already be without Mike Trout for a significant amount of time, with his likely return not coming until August. Earlier in this very game, Anthony Rendon left the game after fouling a ball off his leg.
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These are essentially the three best and most important players on the team, and they could all be lost in one 24-hour span.
Jeff Fletcher, a Los Angeles Angels beat writer, was the first to report that Ohtani left the game with a trainer:
“Ohtani gave up a HR to Jake Cronenworth on a 92 mph fastball, and now he’s leaving the game with the trainer. He previously gave up a 2-run HR to Xander Bogaerts” – Jeff Fletcher
This is an important distinction from being pulled from the game, as this likely indicates there was a medical issue.
Fletcher would go on to confirm that it is a contusion for Rendon and a right middle finger blister for Ohtani:
“Shohei Ohtani has a right middle finger blister (that’s the same finger that had the cracked nail)” – Jeff Fletcher
Thankfully, this is an issue that will likely take little time to resolve and shouldn’t take him out long-term.
Shohei Ohtani’s injury caps off worst-case scenario Los Angeles Angels fans have been fearing
Seeing star players go down with injury is something every fan of every MLB team fears. However, the Angels just watched all three of their stars suffer injuries.
They may have avoided disaster, but losing players of this caliber for any amount of time could cost them in the AL West standings.
Especially with the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers currently sitting ahead of them.