News coming out from the Los Angeles Angels’ organization on Friday noting that star rookie Shohei Ohtani suffered a sprained UCL and has been placed on the disabled list caught the baseball world by surprise.
Shohei Ohtani will be placed on the disabled list with a grade 2 sprain of the UCL. He underwent a PRP and Stem Cell injection yesterday with Dr. Steve Yoon in Los Angeles. He will be re-evaluated in 3 weeks and we will update his plan of care at that time.
— Angels PR (@LAAngelsPR) June 8, 2018
Initially, Ohtani was said to have a minor blister injury that forced him from Wednesday’s start. Obviously, this situation is much more serious than first imagined.
Now, according to this one report, there’s a chance that Ohtani could need Tommy John Surgery should stem cell injections in his elbow not work.
If PRP and stem cell injections don’t work, Tommy John surgery could be in Ohtani’s future. Lots to be concerned about here. https://t.co/YXY1bgjl9M
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) June 8, 2018
As the Angels’ initial release stated, Ohtani will be re-evaluated in three weeks. At that point, we’ll have a better understanding of his long-term status. Given that Tommy John Surgery typically sidelines a player for well over a calendar year, we’re all hoping that’s not the case.
The 23-year-old Japan native is pitching to a 4-1 record with a 3.10 ERA and 1.14 WHIP in nine starts this season. He’s also posted a .289 average with six homers and 20 RBI at the plate.