Shohei Ohtani's absurd first half of the season came to an unceremonious end on Tuesday. At least, the mound portion of it.
The two-way player extraordinaire abruptly left his start vs. the Padres after five-plus innings. The Angels later gave an update as to why, and the ailment is likely to keep Ohtani from pitching in the July 11 MLB All-Star Game in Seattle.
The best player in the game fared decently through his opening five frames, allowing two runs and four hits, striking out five. His control went astray — Ohtani walked four in that span.
But after he allowed back-to-back home runs to Xander Bogaerts and Jake Cronenworth in the sixth, he was lifted from his start after a visit from the trainer. Aaron Loup took his place.
MORE: Latest updates on Angels star Mike Trout's wrist injury
The Sporting News has the latest updates on the American League MVP favorite's status.
Shohei Ohtani injury update
Ohtani was forced from Tuesday's game after developing a blister on the middle finger of his pitching hand. He was already hampered by a cracked nail on that finger. The nail problem forced him leave his previous start vs. the White Sox. The Angels pushed Ohtani's start this week back a day to Tuesday to give the finger more time to heal.
Ohtani's departure came hours after fellow Los Angeles star Mike Trout was ruled out for one to two months with a hamate bone fracture in his left wrist. Trout suffered the injury in the Halos' 10-3 loss to the Friars on Monday. LA lost 8-5 on Tuesday.
Another of LA's big-money signings, Anthony Rendon was also forced to depart Tuesday's game after fouling a ball off his leg and suffering a shin contusion.
MORE: How Mike Trout's injury could affect Angels' plans for Shohei Ohtani trade
Will Shohei Ohtani pitch in the MLB All-Star Game?
With his premature exit, Ohtani calls a close to his scintillating first half on the mound. Speaking with reporters through his translator after Tuesday's game, Ohtani indicated that he doesn't expect to pitch in the All-Star Game. He was named to the AL pitching staff after being voted in by the fans to be the AL's starting designated hitter.
Shohei Ohtani said he's not sure how the blister will affect him at the plate the last three games before the All-Star break. Also said it's unlikely he'll pitch in the All-Star Game. Said it's a similar issue as his last start. It just never fully healed.
— Rhett Bollinger (@RhettBollinger) July 5, 2023
Ohtani remained in Tuesday's game as the Angels' DH until he was replaced by pinch hitter Jo Adell in the ninth inning.
Shohei Ohtani pitching stats
The right-hander is one of baseball's best arms in addition to being one of its best hitters. His primary pitching totals and averages through Tuesday:
| G | IP | ERA | WHIP | SO/9 | BB/9 | HR/9 |
| 17 | 100.1 | 3.32 | 1.037 | 11.8 | 3.9 | 1.3 |
