The fallout following Ohtani’s injury has been a lot. On Wednesday night, general manager Perry Minasian announced that Shohei Ohtani tore his UCL after facing five batters in game one of a split doubleheader against the Cincinnati Reds. Adding insult to injury, he also announced that Mike Trout was going back on the IL. Since then, many people have pointed the finger in every direction. Mainly at the Los Angeles Angels for ruining Ohtani before becoming a free agent.
The Fallout Following Ohtani’s Injury
Cramps, Hangnails, and Arm Fatigue
Looking back at what led to this news, where were there missed signs? This epicenter is focused on the July 27th game against the Detroit Tigers. In this game, Ohtani threw a complete game one-hitter. Ohtani struck out eight on 111 pitches. This helped to save the bullpen for game two and put them in a better position for the series against the Toronto Blue Jays. In game two of the doubleheader, it was the first time he would have cramping issues. The cramps were the beginning of the end of Ohtani’s season.
His next start was on more extended rest. With the trade for Lucas Giolito, the Angels opted to give Ohtani a break following his complete game, and his cramping issues started to pop up. In his start against the Seattle Mariners, Ohtani left in the fifth inning with a cramp in his middle finger. On Saturday, Perry Minasian said during a press conference that the team offered to do imaging following this incident. However, Ohtani and his reparation declined this offer as they were not worried about a cramp. Then, following his next start against the San Francisco Giants, the team announced they would skip his next start due to arm fatigue.
At this time, the Angels went from contending to the mess they’re in now. Ohtani is still hitting well at the plate, with a baseball-leading 43 home runs to go along with his line of .305/.408/.665. He got his 10th win of the season on the mound before the injury. He wants to keep hitting even though the Angels have nothing to play for. Since that announcement, many media think this is the wrong choice. Regardless of opinion, Ohtani wants to finish the season doing something on the field.
Shohei Ohtani plans to continue hitting this season despite the news of his UCL tear.
Harold Reynolds details the adjustments made by the AL MVP candidate following his first UCL injury in 2018, and what led up to this point. #MLBTonight pic.twitter.com/pam54sSnXc
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) August 24, 2023
Fallout and Finger Pointing
In the fallout of the Ohtani injury, there has been a lot of finger-pointing, mainly towards the Angels and how they allegedly mismanaged the situation. His first Tommy John Surgery was done in the 2018 offseason, seemingly when the Angels were “protecting” him. In the brief window when he did pitch, it was to the tune of 53 1/3 innings. 51 of those innings were in 2018. He did throw a single inning during the COVID year of 2020. Then, he was shut down on the pitching side.
From the 2021 season onward, Ohtani has thrown 428 innings in three years with no protection. That averages out to about 142 innings a season. Realistically, Ohtani would have passed his career-high 166 innings pitched if he wasn’t hurt. To add to this idea, an Ohtani without restriction is the best way to go about it. Look at his offensive output from the same timeframe. In almost three seasons of playing regulating as a DH, Ohtani has a line of .278/.378/.967 with 124 home runs.
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All of this points to Ohtani playing at his best when he is doing everything. How will this affect the free-agent market at year’s end remains to be seen. However, there is a new team that will shift him away from the two-player and into a DH or fielder full-time. Two Tommy John surgeries are a brutal comeback. Dodger’s ace Walker Buehler is currently working back from his second surgery in his young career. Both are the same age at 29, so the odds are high that they can both bounce back. In terms of Ohtani, there are now a lot of questions. Only time will tell how things will turn out.
Main photo credits:
Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
