(Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Angels received bad news on Wednesday after Shohei Ohtani left his start in Game 1 of a doubleheader against the Cincinnati Reds.
It was later learned that Ohtani had indeed torn his UCL and would not pitch again for the rest of the 2023 season.
This could also mean that he may not pitch in 2024, as Tommy John surgery is typically required for injuries such as this.
However, he still owns an elite mark in games he has pitched this season, according to Sarah Langs of MLB.com.
On Twitter, Langs revealed that the two-way star owns a 1.220 OPS in games he has pitched this season, which is the highest mark by a player in games he’s pitched since 1901 with at least 60 plate appearances.
Shohei Ohtani in games he pitched this year:
1.220 OPS
that is the highest OPS by a player in games he pitched since at least 1901, min 60 PA
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) August 24, 2023
This is certainly a high mark for Ohtani, and despite the injury, it ultimately goes to show just how dynamic of a player the two-way star is.
The injury may ultimately cost him some money in free agency, as his status for pitching in 2024 is in doubt.
However, when he has pitched, he has been doing the most damage at the plate simultaneously.
Even with the injury, Ohtani can still hit and do damage at the plate.
But this mark is certainly an impressive one, and it’s ultimately a shame that Ohtani won’t be able to pitch anymore this season.
Ohtani’s two-way abilities are what make him such a unique player, as the game hasn’t seen somebody like this since the days of Babe Ruth, who Ohtani has drawn comparisons to.
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