On Wednesday, the Los Angeles Angels received brutal news concerning their two-way superstar in Shohei Ohtani.
The veteran right-hander left his start in Game 1 of Wednesday’s doubleheader against the Cincinnati Reds with an apparent elbow injury.
Unfortunately, it was later revealed that Ohtani had torn his UCL.
It is unclear at this point if he’ll require Tommy John surgery, but he had the surgery in 2018 after suffering the same injury.
However, even after learning that he won’t be able to pitch again, Ohtani insisted on starting Game 2 of the doubleheader as the designated hitter.
Earlier this morning, Bob Nightengale revealed that on Wednesday, Ohtani still wanted to be in the lineup.
The Legend continues: Minutes after Shohei Ohtani was informed he had a torn UCL, potentially costing him hundreds of millions in free agency, he insisted on DHing in Game 2 of the doubleheader. You think he loves the game? https://t.co/6CLuFrNZ3E
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) August 24, 2023
The legend of Ohtani never ceases to amaze those associated with the game of baseball.
The UCL injury could cost Ohtani some significant money in free agency, as he is set to enter the open market this coming offseason.
However, the two-way star continues to prove how much of a competitor he truly is and how much he wants to play and win.
Fortunately for the Angels, they haven’t lost him for the season.
He may not be able to pitch for a while, but he’ll still be able to hit.
And any team searching for a power bat this winter will be lucky if they can land Ohtani for his abilities as a hitter.
Unfortunately, it may just be a while before he can pitch again.
Even in the midst of the injury though, Ohtani remains a fierce competitor and isn’t letting this injury get him down.
NEXT: MLB Insider Reveals Major Shohei Ohtani Injury Update
