Ohtani underwent an elbow procedure in September. While the details of the procedure are kept under wraps, it is clear that he won’t be returning to the mound until 2025 at the earliest.

The initial plan was for Ohtani to serve as a designated hitter this upcoming season before returning to his two-way role next year. But according to Roberts, if Ohtani’s throwing program progresses well, he might see some action in the field.

“Shohei this year is primarily going to be the designated hitter,” Roberts told reporters on Monday. “Once we get back to the States, he is going to start his throwing program, which he hasn’t started yet. We’ll see how that progression goes. If his arm is healthy enough, we’ll have that conversation in the field. I do know he’s not going to pitch this year.”

Ohtani signed a 10-year, $700 million deal, the record in professional sports, with the Dodgers in December. He previously spent six seasons with the Los Angeles Angels, where he won two unanimous AL MVP awards.

The post Dodgers Open to Possibility of Shohei Ohtani Playing in the Field This Season appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Ohtani suffered a torn UCL in his right elbow in August and will undergo “some type of procedure” after gathering all medical opinions. A potential Tommy John surgery, which would be the second for Ohtani since arriving to MLB in 2018, would rule him out as a pitcher for the entire 2024 and possibly longer.

Some analysts believed the long recovery period and a smaller chance of success could cause Ohtani to give up on pitching, but Balelo made it clear that this isn’t an option.

“There’s not a question in his mind that he’s going to come back, and he’s going to continue to do both,” Balelo told reporters on Monday.

Balelo added that Ohtani will be ready to play as a Designated Hitter for the Opening Day of the 2024 campaign.

 “There’s not one thing he can’t do right now when it comes to DHing,” Balelo shared. “He can lift, he can run, he can slide, take violent swings. He can do anything he wants right now. It doesn’t affect the problem in question.”

Ohtani will be a free agent once the 2023 MLB season ends. He is expected to receive the largest contract in MLB history, although the numbers might not be as high as projected before the injury.

The post Shohei Ohtani Plans to Hit in 2024, Will Remain a Two-Way Player appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

When asked about the possibility of Ohtani breaking his record, Judge made it clear that he wouldn’t be mad if that happened. He even called it “exciting.” 

“Records are meant to be broken,” Judge told reporters on Wednesday. “It would be exciting for the game if he went out there and got 63-plus. So, we’ll see what happens.”

Judge went on to praise Ohtani’s talent but said that the Japanese star would require great mental strength to achieve the feat.

“He can hit 100 home runs, 80 home runs. He’s got that type of talent, just like so many other guys in this league,” he added. “But it’s moments like that, it’s about just mentally being able to block out the noise or lack of noise in those moments.”

Ohtani hit 35 homers in 94 games, including 15 home runs in June alone. His current pace indicates that he will finish the season with 60 home runs, although that could quickly change if he gets hot again. 

The post Aaron Judge Won’t Be Mad if Shohei Ohtani Breaks His AL Home Run Record appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Ohtani will earn $30 million in base salary from the Angels thanks to a one-year contract that the two sides agreed on last year in order to avoid arbitration. However, this only represents a chunk of the 28-year-old’s earnings.

Forbes calculated that Ohtani would get another $35 million thanks to endorsement deals. He has a high-profile partnership with a number of companies in his native Japan, including pharma company Kowa, watch manufacturer Seiko Watch, and cosmetics company Kose. In the U.S., Ohtani is endorsed by Fanatics, New Balance, and Topps, among other brands.

No other baseball player comes even close when in terms of endorsement deals. For example, Bryce Harper (Philadelphia Phillies) earned $6.5 million from endorsements in 2022, while this year’s highest earner behind Ohtani is New York Yankees’ star Aaron Judge with $4.5 million.

The second highest-paid player in baseball is New York Mets’ pitcher Max Scherzer who will earn $59.3 million in 2023. Judge with $44.5 million, Justin Verlander (Mets) with $44.3 million, and Mike Trout (Angels) with $39.5 million round up the top five earners.

The post Angels’ Star Shohei Ohtani Unveiled As Baseball’s Highest-Paid Player appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Speaking with reporters on Monday, Ohtani’s agent, Nez Balelo, was asked if there is a possibility that his client would sign an extension during spring training. While Balelo left the door open for that scenario, he also insisted that Ohtani “earned the right” to explore free agency.

“I’ve always been open to it,” Balelo said. “But there’s several layers to this one, and Shohei’s earned the right to play through the year, explore free agency, and we’ll see where it shakes out.”

Considered one of the best players in the game, Ohtani is set to become an unrestricted free agent after the 2023 season. He is expected to command the first $500 million contract in baseball history, with several teams reportedly willing to hit this mark with that kind of offer if they get the chance. The New York Mets and the Los Angeles Dodgers will most likely be the most aggressive in their pursuit, but there are several sleeper options, including the Chicago Cubs and the San Francisco Giants.

Since coming to MLB ahead of the 2018 season, Ohtani has played on an elite level as both hitter and a pitcher. He earned two All-Star nods and four All-MLB selections while also being named AL MVP in 2021.

But despite Ohtani’s performances, the Angels failed to find success as a team. They not only missed playoffs in each of the five years Ohtani has been on the team but also failed to post a single winning season.

The post Shohei Ohtani’s Agent Says His Client “Earned the Right” to Explore Free Agency appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Ohtani was perfect throughout until the eighth inning when Conner Capel ended his no-hit bid with an infield single to shortstop Livan Soto. Dermis Garcia also got one hit on Ohtani, who finished the contest with a 2.35 ERA and 10 strikeouts. The 28-year-old also had two hits and one RBI as the Angels’ designated hitter.

“To be honest, the velocity on my fastball wasn’t as fast as normal,” said Ohtani through an interpreter. “But my slider was doing its thing and was working. I’m kind of surprised with my stuff today.”

After winning his first AL MVP award last season, Shohei Ohtani is among the favorites to repeat in 2022. He has a 15-8 record as a starter with a 2.35 ERA and an impressive 213 strikeouts. On top of that, he is batting .275 with 94 RBIs and 34 homers.

Ohtani’s biggest competition for the MVP honors is the New York Yankees’ Aaron Judge. The star outfielder is in the midst of a career year that saw him tie Roger Maris’ AL record for most home runs in a single season with 61. Judge is also in conversation to take the Triple Crown, being first in home runs (61) and RBIs (130) and second in batting average (.313).

The post Angels’ Star Shohei Ohtani Delivers Near No-Hit Performance Against the Athletics appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

The Japanese phenom finished the night with 10 strikeouts, allowing one unearned run on two hits. The latter ended his streak of 21 2/3 scoreless frames.

Ohtani’s performance against the Marlins resulted in several notable firsts. For example, he became the first player in the history of the MLB to strike out ten, have two RBIs at-bats, and also record a stolen base.

“There can’t be many [records to set] left, right?” said Angels interim manager Ray Montgomery after the game via MLB.com. “I mean, he has most, if not all of them by now. He competes at everything. And he’s relentless. He can’t quench his thirst for what he does. It’s really fun to watch.”

After winning the AL MVP honors last season, Shohei Ohtani maintained a high level of performance in 2022 as well. This is especially in the pitching department, as he has an 8-4 record with 111 strikeouts and 2.44 ERA in 14 games. He is also on a five-game winning streak as a starter.

The post Angels Star Shohei Ohtani Has His Fourth Game Without Earned Run appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Ohtani had a historic campaign in 2021 that saw him excel in both hitting and pitching. The 27-year-old played in 155 games as a hitter and finished the season with a .257 batting average and 46 homers while adding 100 RBIs. He also made 23 starts as a pitcher, compiling a 9-2 record with 3.18 ERA and 156 strikeouts.

Ohtani got the AL MVP honors unanimously, finishing first on all 30 ballots from Baseball Writers’ Association of America voters. The Toronto Blue Jays’ first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and shortstop Marcus Semien finished second and third respectively.

Harper, on the other hand, had his best season in the Phillies uniform. In 141 games, he had a .309 batting average, hit 35 home runs, and had 84 RBIs. The 29-year-old also led all of MLB with 42 doubles.

Harper had a total of 348 points, receiving 17 first-place votes and nine second-place votes. The Washington Nationals outfielder Juan Soto had 274 points behind him while the San Diego Padres’ phenom Fernando Tatis Jr. rounded up the top three with 244 points.

The post Angels’ Shohei Ohtani and Phillies’ Bryce Harper Win MVP appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

“Of course, I’ll be very open to negotiation,” Ohtani said via ESPN. “The team is supporting me for this whole four years, and I’m really appreciative of that. Whether or not there’s any contract extensions I just want to, like I said earlier, be ready and be ready for next season.”

This comes after Ohtani previously said that his future with the franchise would depend on the Angels’ ability to win games. The 27-year-old superstar joined the team in 2018 and still hasn’t experienced a winning season in MLB.

Ohtani has one year left on his deal, which will pay him $5.5 in 2022. He’s set to have salary arbitration in 2023 and would then be a free agent after that.

The Angels are probably extremely motivated to lock down Shohei Ohtani after he enjoyed one of the best individual seasons in MBL history. As a designated hitter, Ohtani finished third in the league in home runs with 46 while adding 100 RBIs. As a pitcher, he posted a 9-2 record with a 3.18 ERA and 156 strikeouts.

The post Shohei Ohtani “Very Open” to New Deal with Angels appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

During a press conference on Thursday, Maddon revealed that Ohtani felt discomfort in his pitching arm while playing catch on practice. If the issue continues to bother the AL MVP favorite, he will only see action as a designated hitter moving forward.

“If there’s any kind of lingering soreness, you may not see him pitch,” said Maddon.

Ohtani, who hasn’t pitched since September 10th, is 9-2 as a starter for the Angels this season and has a 3.36 ERA with 136 strikeouts. And while Maddon would like to see the Japanese phenom get his 10th win in 2021, the team will prioritize his long-term health.

“You can’t let that be the driving factor,” he added.

The soreness in his arm isn’t expected to slow down Shohei Ohtani at-bats, however. He currently ranks second in the league in home runs with 44, trailing only the Toronto Blue Jays’ Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who has 45. Ohtani also boasts a .254 batting average and has 94 RBIs.

The post Angels Considering Shutting Down Shohei Ohtani Due to Sore Arm appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Ohtani underwent an elbow procedure in September. While the details of the procedure are kept under wraps, it is clear that he won’t be returning to the mound until 2025 at the earliest.

The initial plan was for Ohtani to serve as a designated hitter this upcoming season before returning to his two-way role next year. But according to Roberts, if Ohtani’s throwing program progresses well, he might see some action in the field.

“Shohei this year is primarily going to be the designated hitter,” Roberts told reporters on Monday. “Once we get back to the States, he is going to start his throwing program, which he hasn’t started yet. We’ll see how that progression goes. If his arm is healthy enough, we’ll have that conversation in the field. I do know he’s not going to pitch this year.”

Ohtani signed a 10-year, $700 million deal, the record in professional sports, with the Dodgers in December. He previously spent six seasons with the Los Angeles Angels, where he won two unanimous AL MVP awards.

The post Dodgers Open to Possibility of Shohei Ohtani Playing in the Field This Season appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Ohtani suffered a torn UCL in his right elbow in August and will undergo “some type of procedure” after gathering all medical opinions. A potential Tommy John surgery, which would be the second for Ohtani since arriving to MLB in 2018, would rule him out as a pitcher for the entire 2024 and possibly longer.

Some analysts believed the long recovery period and a smaller chance of success could cause Ohtani to give up on pitching, but Balelo made it clear that this isn’t an option.

“There’s not a question in his mind that he’s going to come back, and he’s going to continue to do both,” Balelo told reporters on Monday.

Balelo added that Ohtani will be ready to play as a Designated Hitter for the Opening Day of the 2024 campaign.

 “There’s not one thing he can’t do right now when it comes to DHing,” Balelo shared. “He can lift, he can run, he can slide, take violent swings. He can do anything he wants right now. It doesn’t affect the problem in question.”

Ohtani will be a free agent once the 2023 MLB season ends. He is expected to receive the largest contract in MLB history, although the numbers might not be as high as projected before the injury.

The post Shohei Ohtani Plans to Hit in 2024, Will Remain a Two-Way Player appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

When asked about the possibility of Ohtani breaking his record, Judge made it clear that he wouldn’t be mad if that happened. He even called it “exciting.” 

“Records are meant to be broken,” Judge told reporters on Wednesday. “It would be exciting for the game if he went out there and got 63-plus. So, we’ll see what happens.”

Judge went on to praise Ohtani’s talent but said that the Japanese star would require great mental strength to achieve the feat.

“He can hit 100 home runs, 80 home runs. He’s got that type of talent, just like so many other guys in this league,” he added. “But it’s moments like that, it’s about just mentally being able to block out the noise or lack of noise in those moments.”

Ohtani hit 35 homers in 94 games, including 15 home runs in June alone. His current pace indicates that he will finish the season with 60 home runs, although that could quickly change if he gets hot again. 

The post Aaron Judge Won’t Be Mad if Shohei Ohtani Breaks His AL Home Run Record appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Ohtani will earn $30 million in base salary from the Angels thanks to a one-year contract that the two sides agreed on last year in order to avoid arbitration. However, this only represents a chunk of the 28-year-old’s earnings.

Forbes calculated that Ohtani would get another $35 million thanks to endorsement deals. He has a high-profile partnership with a number of companies in his native Japan, including pharma company Kowa, watch manufacturer Seiko Watch, and cosmetics company Kose. In the U.S., Ohtani is endorsed by Fanatics, New Balance, and Topps, among other brands.

No other baseball player comes even close when in terms of endorsement deals. For example, Bryce Harper (Philadelphia Phillies) earned $6.5 million from endorsements in 2022, while this year’s highest earner behind Ohtani is New York Yankees’ star Aaron Judge with $4.5 million.

The second highest-paid player in baseball is New York Mets’ pitcher Max Scherzer who will earn $59.3 million in 2023. Judge with $44.5 million, Justin Verlander (Mets) with $44.3 million, and Mike Trout (Angels) with $39.5 million round up the top five earners.

The post Angels’ Star Shohei Ohtani Unveiled As Baseball’s Highest-Paid Player appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Speaking with reporters on Monday, Ohtani’s agent, Nez Balelo, was asked if there is a possibility that his client would sign an extension during spring training. While Balelo left the door open for that scenario, he also insisted that Ohtani “earned the right” to explore free agency.

“I’ve always been open to it,” Balelo said. “But there’s several layers to this one, and Shohei’s earned the right to play through the year, explore free agency, and we’ll see where it shakes out.”

Considered one of the best players in the game, Ohtani is set to become an unrestricted free agent after the 2023 season. He is expected to command the first $500 million contract in baseball history, with several teams reportedly willing to hit this mark with that kind of offer if they get the chance. The New York Mets and the Los Angeles Dodgers will most likely be the most aggressive in their pursuit, but there are several sleeper options, including the Chicago Cubs and the San Francisco Giants.

Since coming to MLB ahead of the 2018 season, Ohtani has played on an elite level as both hitter and a pitcher. He earned two All-Star nods and four All-MLB selections while also being named AL MVP in 2021.

But despite Ohtani’s performances, the Angels failed to find success as a team. They not only missed playoffs in each of the five years Ohtani has been on the team but also failed to post a single winning season.

The post Shohei Ohtani’s Agent Says His Client “Earned the Right” to Explore Free Agency appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Ohtani was perfect throughout until the eighth inning when Conner Capel ended his no-hit bid with an infield single to shortstop Livan Soto. Dermis Garcia also got one hit on Ohtani, who finished the contest with a 2.35 ERA and 10 strikeouts. The 28-year-old also had two hits and one RBI as the Angels’ designated hitter.

“To be honest, the velocity on my fastball wasn’t as fast as normal,” said Ohtani through an interpreter. “But my slider was doing its thing and was working. I’m kind of surprised with my stuff today.”

After winning his first AL MVP award last season, Shohei Ohtani is among the favorites to repeat in 2022. He has a 15-8 record as a starter with a 2.35 ERA and an impressive 213 strikeouts. On top of that, he is batting .275 with 94 RBIs and 34 homers.

Ohtani’s biggest competition for the MVP honors is the New York Yankees’ Aaron Judge. The star outfielder is in the midst of a career year that saw him tie Roger Maris’ AL record for most home runs in a single season with 61. Judge is also in conversation to take the Triple Crown, being first in home runs (61) and RBIs (130) and second in batting average (.313).

The post Angels’ Star Shohei Ohtani Delivers Near No-Hit Performance Against the Athletics appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

The Japanese phenom finished the night with 10 strikeouts, allowing one unearned run on two hits. The latter ended his streak of 21 2/3 scoreless frames.

Ohtani’s performance against the Marlins resulted in several notable firsts. For example, he became the first player in the history of the MLB to strike out ten, have two RBIs at-bats, and also record a stolen base.

“There can’t be many [records to set] left, right?” said Angels interim manager Ray Montgomery after the game via MLB.com. “I mean, he has most, if not all of them by now. He competes at everything. And he’s relentless. He can’t quench his thirst for what he does. It’s really fun to watch.”

After winning the AL MVP honors last season, Shohei Ohtani maintained a high level of performance in 2022 as well. This is especially in the pitching department, as he has an 8-4 record with 111 strikeouts and 2.44 ERA in 14 games. He is also on a five-game winning streak as a starter.

The post Angels Star Shohei Ohtani Has His Fourth Game Without Earned Run appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Ohtani had a historic campaign in 2021 that saw him excel in both hitting and pitching. The 27-year-old played in 155 games as a hitter and finished the season with a .257 batting average and 46 homers while adding 100 RBIs. He also made 23 starts as a pitcher, compiling a 9-2 record with 3.18 ERA and 156 strikeouts.

Ohtani got the AL MVP honors unanimously, finishing first on all 30 ballots from Baseball Writers’ Association of America voters. The Toronto Blue Jays’ first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and shortstop Marcus Semien finished second and third respectively.

Harper, on the other hand, had his best season in the Phillies uniform. In 141 games, he had a .309 batting average, hit 35 home runs, and had 84 RBIs. The 29-year-old also led all of MLB with 42 doubles.

Harper had a total of 348 points, receiving 17 first-place votes and nine second-place votes. The Washington Nationals outfielder Juan Soto had 274 points behind him while the San Diego Padres’ phenom Fernando Tatis Jr. rounded up the top three with 244 points.

The post Angels’ Shohei Ohtani and Phillies’ Bryce Harper Win MVP appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

“Of course, I’ll be very open to negotiation,” Ohtani said via ESPN. “The team is supporting me for this whole four years, and I’m really appreciative of that. Whether or not there’s any contract extensions I just want to, like I said earlier, be ready and be ready for next season.”

This comes after Ohtani previously said that his future with the franchise would depend on the Angels’ ability to win games. The 27-year-old superstar joined the team in 2018 and still hasn’t experienced a winning season in MLB.

Ohtani has one year left on his deal, which will pay him $5.5 in 2022. He’s set to have salary arbitration in 2023 and would then be a free agent after that.

The Angels are probably extremely motivated to lock down Shohei Ohtani after he enjoyed one of the best individual seasons in MBL history. As a designated hitter, Ohtani finished third in the league in home runs with 46 while adding 100 RBIs. As a pitcher, he posted a 9-2 record with a 3.18 ERA and 156 strikeouts.

The post Shohei Ohtani “Very Open” to New Deal with Angels appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

During a press conference on Thursday, Maddon revealed that Ohtani felt discomfort in his pitching arm while playing catch on practice. If the issue continues to bother the AL MVP favorite, he will only see action as a designated hitter moving forward.

“If there’s any kind of lingering soreness, you may not see him pitch,” said Maddon.

Ohtani, who hasn’t pitched since September 10th, is 9-2 as a starter for the Angels this season and has a 3.36 ERA with 136 strikeouts. And while Maddon would like to see the Japanese phenom get his 10th win in 2021, the team will prioritize his long-term health.

“You can’t let that be the driving factor,” he added.

The soreness in his arm isn’t expected to slow down Shohei Ohtani at-bats, however. He currently ranks second in the league in home runs with 44, trailing only the Toronto Blue Jays’ Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who has 45. Ohtani also boasts a .254 batting average and has 94 RBIs.

The post Angels Considering Shutting Down Shohei Ohtani Due to Sore Arm appeared first on yoursportspot.com.