ARLINGTON, Texas - Los Angeles Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani has new damage in his right elbow and the team says Tommy John surgery has been recommended.
The Angels said Ohtani had an MRI on Wednesday in Texas that revealed the problem in his ulnar collateral ligament.
"There's more questions out there right now than answers. We'll take it one step at a time," manager Mike Scioscia said. "There's a lot of consulting that Shohei will do with doctors and just see what the best course of action is."
Ohtani had been scheduled to throw a light bullpen session Wednesday, but never did after reporting that his elbow was sore. The medical staff then decided that he should get the new MRI.
The 24-year-old rookie was still in the Angels' lineup as the designated hitter for their series finale against the Rangers. Asked whether Ohtani would stay in the lineup as a DH after this game, Scioscia said: "We'll see. That's going to be determined from our medical department."
Ohtani was diagnosed with a sprained UCL following a start June 6 and was treated with a platelet-rich plasma injection and an injection of stem cells.
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