The Los Angeles Angels, despite snapping their record 14-game losing skid, have still yet to find consistency.
They remain four games below the .500 mark and have fallen to third place in the American League West, with the Texas Rangers now sitting in second.
Last night, interim manager Phil Nevin, who has taken over the reins after the departure of Joe Maddon, gave two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani a break from the lineup.
Ohtani has without a question been relied on heavily since the Angels’ skid began and was the one to stop the skid with a seven-inning, one-run performance.
MLB reporter Alden Gonzalez tweeted what Nevin had to say about giving Ohtani a pause.
The Angels are giving Shohei Ohtani the day off because, as interim manager Phil Nevin said, "He needs one." They'll be more conscious about rest days moving forward.
"I know he seems like Superman all the time," Nevin said. "I think Superman took a day off once in a while."
— Alden González (@Alden_Gonzalez) June 12, 2022
Pause Is Power
This is a smart reason to give a guy a day off.
Even the best players could use a break every once in a while, and Ohtani is no different.
Sometimes, it’s best for a player to get a day where he doesn’t see any action.
But Nevin’s response is perfect.
Even Superman could use a day off from time to time.
Ohtani is perhaps the best player in the game of baseball today and is a guy fans pay big money to go see play and put on a show.
But being a two-way player has to be a little bit exhausting, especially when you’re as good at it as Ohtani is.
When you’re that good, you’re going to be relied on heavily.
As a manager, you want your best guys out there all the time, but you also understand the importance of giving a guy a day off and keeping them fresh.
We’ll see if this off day helps Ohtani refresh a little.
NEXT: MLB Insider Shares The Full Shohei Ohtani Experience