News that has been expected for a while became official on Tuesday. Los Angeles Angels star Shohei Ohtani will have Tommy John Surgery shortly after the season ends.
Update on Shohei Ohtani:
Shohei Ohtani will undergo UCL reconstruction surgery during the first week of the off-season. The procedure will be performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles. Additional information will be provided when appropriate.
— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) September 25, 2018
This means that Ohtani will not be able to pitch again until 2020.
The good news is that for position players, the rehab isn’t nearly as long. So, even with the surgery, he should be able to be a full-time hitter in 2019.
Entering Tuesday’s action, Ohtani was hitting .280/.361/.564. Prior to getting shut down as a pitcher, he had posted a 3.31 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 63 strikeouts in 51.2 innings over 10 outings.