TO CLOSE

SportsPulse: USA TODAY Sports & # 39; Bob Nightengale tells us who, in his opinion, will draw the attack on the field during the referee card match.
USA TODAY & # 39; HUI

Shohei Ohtani has made 10 starts for the Angels this season, finishing with a 4-2 record and a score of 3.31 ERA.(Photo: Kelley L Cox, USA TODAY & # 39; HUI Sports)

An elbow ligament will prevent Shohei Ohtani from throwing for the Los Angeles Angels next season. Fortunately, the two-way star will still be able to hit the bat.

The team announced Tuesday that surgeon Tommy John would operate at the end of the regular season to repair a collateral ligament ulnar to the right elbow.

Ohtani was diagnosed with UCL ripped earlier this month and surgery was recommended, but as the injury does not affect him when he strikes, he continued to play regularly as DH angels.

The recovery time for Tommy John-operated throwers is typically 14 to 18 months, which puts their expected return on the mound at the start of the 2020 season.

However, Ohtani can still contribute with the bat, as he has done all season – and will be in 2019.

On Tuesday, AL's rookie candidate of the year hits the ball at .280 with 21 home runs, 56 RBIs, 55 points scored and nine goals stolen in 346 appearances.

In 10 throws as a pitcher, he compiled a record of 4-2, 3.31 ERA and 63 strikeouts in 51 en.

Follow Gardner on Twitter @SteveAGardner

Automatic reading

Thumbnails poster

Show captions

Last slide next