The hopes of Los Angeles Angels fans for a strong finish to the season were dashed when the team announced that Shohei Ohtani, the American League’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) frontrunner, would miss the remainder of the season due to an oblique injury. This injury occurred during a rare session of outdoor batting practice on September 4th and forced Ohtani to miss the next 11 games. With his absence from the field officially confirmed, his chances of securing his second MVP title have all but disappeared.
Aside from his oblique injury, Ohtani’s camp has been tight-lipped about his torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL), which prematurely ended his pitching career for the season in August. Perhaps fueled by concerns over his upcoming free agency, the 29-year-old pitcher and hitter has yet to announce a concrete plan regarding the course of action for his UCL tear. Will he opt for rest and rehabilitation, or will he undergo surgery? Only time will tell.
A Stellar Performance Cut Short
Despite his abbreviated season, Ohtani’s performance on both the mound and at the plate cannot be overlooked. As a hitter, he maintained a remarkable slash line of .304/.412/.654 while leading the American League in home runs (44), walks (91), and total bases (325). As a pitcher, Ohtani showcased his talent by going 10-5 with a solid 3.14 ERA in 132 innings, striking out 167 batters and issuing 55 walks. Impressively, his 9.0 FanGraphs wins above replacement (WAR) easily outpaced all other players in the league.
One of the most puzzling aspects of Ohtani’s recent journey is his silence. Since August 9th, he has refrained from public statements, leaving fans and the media eagerly awaiting his thoughts on his UCL tear. This abrupt shift in Ohtani’s openness is striking, as he had previously been known for his engaging and thoughtful comments. It remains to be seen if Ohtani is intentionally choosing to keep silent or if there are external factors influencing his public communications.
Despite the lingering uncertainty surrounding his injuries, Ohtani’s agent Nez Balelo of CAA has reassured fans that Ohtani fully intends to return as a two-way player. Whether Ohtani undergoes surgery or pursues a non-surgical path, Balelo has expressed confidence that Ohtani will be ready to join the team as a hitter at the beginning of the 2024 season. This optimistic outlook provides some solace to fans who have eagerly followed Ohtani’s incredible journey.
It is with a heavy heart that we bid farewell to Shohei Ohtani’s extraordinary season. His injuries may have prematurely ended his campaign for the MVP title, but his impact on the game cannot be understated. Ohtani’s performance, both as a pitcher and a hitter, captivated audiences and inspired a new generation of players. As we eagerly await news of his recovery, we can only hope that Ohtani will return stronger than ever and continue to push the boundaries of what is possible in the world of baseball.