Los Angeles Angels superstar Shohei Ohtani and his camp declined testing on his arm prior to the imaging that revealed he has a torn UCL, general manager Perry Minasian said Saturday in New York. Here’s what you need to know:
Ohtani will not pitch the rest of the season after the injury was revealed earlier this week. Minasian said at the time it is unclear whether Ohtani will require surgery.
The 29-year-old exited his last start Wednesday against the Cincinnati Reds after 1 1/3 innings with arm fatigue, skipping his previous start due to the same issue.
Ohtani returned to the Angels’ lineup as designated hitter Friday. The pending free agent leads MLB with 44 home runs.
The Athletic’s instant analysis:
What to make of Minasian’s comments
This feels like a clean-up by the Angels front office. Minasian has done two previous media availabilities since Ohtani’s injury and was asked about this topic but did not make this clear. He stated directly Friday that no imaging was done, and there was public blowback to that.
In fairness to Minasian and Los Angeles, if Ohtani wanted an MRI after his previous start, he would have gotten one. He has robust representation. That said, it’s also fair to criticize the team for not insisting he get checked given his fatigue. It would be great to hear directly from Ohtani or his agent on this topic, but they’ve been silent. — Blum
Could placing blame on Ohtani impact free-agency talks?
Another hugely relevant question here: Did Ohtani or his agent know Minasian would be saying this today? If not, it could be a topic of contention. They’re shifting the blame for not being thorough directly onto them, and away from the team. It would be very surprising for Minasian to say this without talking to Ohtani’s reps.
And for an Angels team that would desperately like to re-sign the superstar, this could, in theory, impact the relationship. Minasian said he has a great relationship with Ohtani and his agent Nez Balelo. But again, this entire situation has clearly grown into something that could create an issue. — Blum
Should Ohtani have gotten earlier imaging?
Without any medical expertise, it does feel pretty clear that Ohtani should have gotten imaging before taking the mound Wednesday. The team believes it would have been impossible for him to pitch 1 1/3 innings with a torn UCL, meaning the tear happened while pitching.
But Ohtani’s workload and fatigue meant he should have gotten looked at ahead of time. Whoever’s fault that is, who knows? But it should have happened. — Blum
Backstory
The Angels, who have gone 6-16 in August, went all-in around Ohtani at the trade deadline. His ERA sits at 3.14 through 132 innings this year and he is slashing .305/.408/.665.
Ohtani previously underwent Tommy John surgery in October 2018.
Required reading
(Photo: Brad Penner / USA Today)
The Los Angeles Angels’ superstar Shohei Ohtani has been making headlines recently due to an injury that has forced him to stop pitching for the rest of the season. The team’s general manager, Perry Minasian, revealed that Ohtani and his camp declined testing on his arm prior to the imaging that revealed a torn UCL. This decision has raised questions about the handling of Ohtani’s injury and its potential impact on his future with the team.
Minasian’s comments about Ohtani’s refusal to undergo testing have sparked speculation about the motives behind the decision. Some believe that the Angels’ front office is attempting to shift blame onto Ohtani and his camp in order to protect the team’s reputation. However, it is important to note that if Ohtani had requested an MRI after his previous start, he would have received one. This suggests that Ohtani and his representatives were aware of the risks and chose not to pursue further testing.
The implications of placing blame on Ohtani could extend beyond the current season. As a pending free agent, Ohtani’s relationship with the Angels will play a significant role in contract negotiations. By publicly discussing Ohtani’s refusal to undergo testing, the team may be jeopardizing their chances of re-signing the superstar. Minasian has stated that he has a good relationship with Ohtani and his agent, Nez Balelo, but the controversy surrounding this situation could strain their rapport.
Critics argue that Ohtani should have undergone imaging earlier, given his workload and previous arm fatigue. The team believes that it would have been impossible for Ohtani to pitch with a torn UCL, suggesting that the tear occurred during his last start. However, regardless of who is at fault, it is clear that Ohtani should have been examined before taking the mound. The failure to prioritize his health and address his fatigue raises concerns about the team’s handling of their star player.
The Angels’ decision to go all-in around Ohtani at the trade deadline highlights the significance of his contributions to the team. With an impressive ERA of 3.14 through 132 innings and leading MLB with 44 home runs, Ohtani has been a key factor in the team’s performance this season. However, his injury history, including a previous Tommy John surgery in 2018, raises concerns about his long-term durability.
In conclusion, the controversy surrounding Shohei Ohtani’s injury and the team’s handling of it has raised questions about the future of the superstar with the Los Angeles Angels. The decision to decline testing and the subsequent blame-shifting by the team’s front office could impact contract negotiations and strain the relationship between Ohtani and the organization. Furthermore, the failure to prioritize Ohtani’s health and address his fatigue raises concerns about the team’s commitment to their star player. As the season comes to a close, it remains to be seen how this situation will impact Ohtani’s future in Los Angeles.