Shohei Ohtani, a two-hitter for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, is currently sidelined with an elbow injury. His agent has spoken out for the first time as he is currently undecided on the direction of his treatment and is only playing as a bat.
“There is no doubt in his mind that he wants to continue doing both after he recovers from his injury,” Ohtani’s agent, Nez Valero, told the Los Angeles Times and other local media outlets on Friday (June 5), adding that his client wants to continue playing both.
As for the injured elbow ligament, he emphasized that it’s not the worst, saying it’s “in a completely different place than where it was before (surgery after the 2018 season).”
“Some form of surgery is going to be inevitable,” he said, but was coy about what that “surgery” would be.
“We’re just gathering information to figure out the best strategy,” he said. If he opts for Tommy John surgery, he won’t be able to pitch until at least 2024.온라인바카라
Ohtani spent the 2019 season as a designated hitter while rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. His 2024 season will likely be similar.
“He’s going to be playing designated hitter in somebody’s lineup next season,” Valero said, adding that no matter what Ohtani chooses to do to heal his elbow, it won’t affect his ability to play designated hitter.
The Angels previously came under fire after the player and his agent revealed that they had recommended a medical examination when he felt cramping in his arm, but he declined.
Valero insisted that there was nothing wrong with his relationship with the club.
“People seem to think that there must be some kind of signal when he is injured. That’s not the case at all. He is the one who decides his career,” he said, responding to criticism that the Angels overplayed him despite his fatigue.