Shohei Ohtani to Skip Start Due to Arm Fatigue, but Powers Angels to Victory

Houston — Angels’ two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani showcased his extraordinary talent once again, hitting his 41st homer of the season, helping the Angels secure a 2-1 win over the Astros at Minute Maid Park on Sunday. Despite battling arm fatigue, Ohtani’s powerful swing proved he is still in top form at the plate.

Originally scheduled to start against the Texas Rangers on Tuesday, Ohtani’s next outing on the mound will be delayed as he rests and recovers. The Angels’ manager, Phil Nevin, clarified that Ohtani’s decision to skip one turn through the rotation is not due to injury, but rather a result of Ohtani feeling tired and fatigued. Nevin supported Ohtani’s choice, emphasizing that he trusts the player’s judgment.

Lefty Patrick Sandoval will take the mound in the series opener against the Texas Rangers on Monday, while right-hander Lucas Giolito’s start will be moved up to Tuesday. The exact starter for Wednesday has yet to be announced, but it is likely to be right-hander Griffin Canning, who was recently reinstated from the injured list.

Although Ohtani’s arm fatigue has prompted him to skip a start, he has been performing exceptionally well as a pitcher. In his last three starts, he has not allowed an earned run, pitching 19 innings. Despite encountering cramping in his right middle finger during a previous start against the Mariners on August 3, Ohtani rebounded and delivered an impressive performance against the Giants, allowing only one unearned run over six innings in a victory.

Observing Ohtani’s visible agitation during the game against the Giants, Nevin could sense that the superstar was tired. When Ohtani approached Nevin on Saturday, proposing to skip a start, Nevin quickly agreed, recognizing Ohtani’s deep knowledge of his own body. Nevin assured that Ohtani’s decision was not due to any pain or injury but rather regular arm fatigue that pitchers often experience.

Ohtani, who has made 22 starts this season, currently holds a 3.17 ERA with 165 strikeouts in 130 2/3 innings. Last season, he established a career-high by throwing 166 innings over 28 starts, with a remarkable ERA of 2.33 and 219 strikeouts. Although Ohtani was on track to throw approximately 180 innings this season, his skipped start will reduce that projected total.

Regarding Ohtani’s role as a designated hitter, Nevin affirmed that he will not require any time off, especially with an off-day scheduled for Thursday. In the recent series finale against the Astros, Ohtani displayed his versatility and prowess by hitting his first home run since August 3, securing a solo blast off reliever Parker Mushinski in the sixth inning. The rookie right-hander Chase Silseth also contributed to the Angels’ victory, delivering five scoreless innings and maintaining an impressive 1.59 ERA in four starts since joining the rotation in mid-July.

Ohtani’s offensive skills were not limited to his home run, as he also drew a leadoff walk, stole his 17th base of the season, and demonstrated his ability to excel in both hitting and baserunning. With his performance, Ohtani now boasts a batting average of .305, an on-base percentage of .408, and a slugging percentage of .665. In addition to his 41 homers, he has recorded 20 doubles, seven triples, 84 RBIs, and 91 runs scored in 117 games. Furthermore, he achieved his hardest-hit ball of the season on Saturday, blasting a double off the right-center field wall with an impressive exit velocity of 118.3 mph.

Although Ohtani’s arm fatigue is a concern, Nevin reassured everyone that it does not affect his hitting abilities. Nevin commented on Ohtani’s impressive performance, stating, “He feels good and healthy at the plate. It’s just throwing, he has some normal fatigue.”

With arm fatigue forcing Ohtani to miss his next start, the Angels will be looking to their other pitchers to step up. However, there’s no denying the impact of Ohtani’s offensive contributions, as he continues to solidify his position as one of the most valuable players in the American League.