Angels GM denies report Shohei Ohtani will need Tommy John surgery

Jordan Heck

Angels GM denies report Shohei Ohtani will need Tommy John surgery image

Shohei Ohtani's rookie season is likely over, and he may not be able to return to MLB until 2020.

ESPN's Pedro Gomez reported on SportsCenter early Monday morning that the Angels pitcher will need Tommy John surgery, which means he'd definitely be out all of 2018. Gomez also added 2019 is likely out of the question, too, as "the earliest we might see him, should he have Tommy John surgery, would be the 2020 season."

 

 

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As Gomez notes, there are three grades of a UCL (ulnar collateral ligament) injury, and Ohtani suffered a Grade 2 sprain. The injury occurred last week, and Ohtani was placed on the disabled list as he recovers. 

"The Angels are holding out hope that [Tommy John surgery] won't be the case, but everything I'm hearing is that the reality is, he probably will need Tommy John surgery. They're trying to hold out, because they're in the middle of the season, they're kind of competitive right now, he is their best pitcher, but it doesn't look good at this point," Gomez said.

Gomez also pointed out, the longer the Angels wait now to see if Ohtani absolutely needs the surgery, the longer his road to recovery will be.

Angels GM Billy Epler, however, said Gomez's report was innaccurate.

Ohtani already underwent injections of platelet-rich plasma and stem cells last week. Speaking to reporters then, Eppler said he hoped that treatment would be enough. 

“We’re hopeful that he can [avoid Tommy John surgery," Eppler said. “That this is completely treatable with the biologic prescription that the doctors recommend.”

Ohtani turns 24 next month, and has proven to be a success so far in MLB. He is 4-1 with a 3.10 ERA, recording 61 strikeouts in 49 1/3 innings. He's also batting .289 with six home runs and 20 RBIs.

Jordan Heck

Jordan Heck Photo

Jordan Heck is a Social Media Producer at Sporting News. Before working here, he was a Digital Content Producer at The Indianapolis Star. He graduated with a degree from Indiana University.