The Los Angeles Angels are in critical condition, but still fighting for a place in the 2023 MLB playoffs.
On Wednesday afternoon, they faced another team in the thick of things, the Cincinnati Reds.
The Reds sent rookie sensation Andrew Abbott to the mound.
The Angels, on the other hand, countered with Shohei Ohtani.
Ohtani didn’t care about Abbott’s potential Rookie of the Year credentials: he deposited a pitch in the stands for his MLB-leading 44th home run.
Strike out two batters top of the first: ✅
Hit your MLB-leading 44th homer bottom of the first: ✅Shohei Ohtani is INCREDIBLE. pic.twitter.com/471tCR23SY
— MLB (@MLB) August 23, 2023
Before that, however, he had taken the mound to strike out two Reds in a perfect first inning as a pitcher.
The home run traveled an incredible 442 feet and was a true laser.
In other words, fans got to see the whole Ohtani experience in just one inning.
The Reds were on the receiving end of his dominance.
There was some bad news, though: Ohtani had to be removed in the middle of an at-bat with an injury.
Shohei Ohtani has left the mound with the trainer and is out of the game pic.twitter.com/Oy5TfVyo6H
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) August 23, 2023
At this point, the reason of his removal hasn’t been revealed.
He had missed his last start with arm fatigue.
The whole MLB universe hopes it’s nothing serious: he is trying to will the Angels into the postseason, and after the World Series, he will sign the most lucrative contract in American professional sports history.
If he is badly injured, his earnings could be compromised, but it’s too early to speculate.
Hopefully it’s nothing serious and he can return to the mound to make his next start.
The Angels would have no business fighting for a place in October without him.
NEXT: Anthony Rendon's Status Remains A Total Mystery
