Los Angeles Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani will finish the 2018 season as a hitter, but he has not decided if he will have Tommy John surgery as of now.
Shohei Ohtani said he will finish the season as a hitter. Hasn’t decided yet about TJ.
— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) September 7, 2018
The 24-year-old, who hit a home run hours after the Angels announced he likely needs TJS, will finish the season as a designated hitter.
In 82 games this season, Ohtani has posted a .946 OPS with a .287 batting average, 18 home runs, 47 RBI and seven stolen bases.
As Ohtani waits to determine if he will have elbow surgery, which would likely sideline him until the start of 2020, the projected timetable for a return will continue to get pushed back.