The Los Angeles Angels open a three-game series at Target Field tonight against the Twins, but fans will be disappointed to hear that Angels rookie Shohei Ohtani won't play.
Ohtani will go on the disabled list because of a Grade 2 sprain of the UCL in his right (pitching) elbow. He had a stem cell injection on Thursday, the Angels reported. He is expected to miss up to a month of the season and there is some speculation he could need Tommy John surgery if it doesn't improve.
Here is the Angels' press release: "Shohei Ohtani will be placed on the disabled list with a grade 2 sprain of the UCL. He underwent a PRP and Stem Cell injection yesterday with Dr. Steve Yoon in Los Angeles. He will be re-evaluated in 3 weeks and we will update his plan of care at that time."
Ohtani, 23, is the first player since Babe Ruth in 1917 to regularly pitch and hit. In nine starts, Ohtani is 4-1 with a 3.10 ERA and 61 strikeouts in 49.1 innings. He has hit 101.1 mph on the radar gun, and has given up only two hits on his "out" pitch, a split-fingered fastball.
As a designated hitter, Ohtani has a .289 batting average and six home runs – all at home. He is slugging .535 and his OPS is .907.
In a May 13 victory over the Twins, Ohtani struck out 11 in 6.1 innings.
Draft update
Hearing that the Twins already have agreements with several players they selected in the first-year player draft earlier this week. The signings won't become official until the players pass a physical, standard procedure for the Twins.
Also heard that catcher Ryan Jeffers from UNC-Wilmington, is in town. That means he's in town for a physical and could be among the first wave of signings that the club announces.
Tonight's lineups:
