The future of Shohei Ohtani

[cgjackson222]

Originally Posted by bk400

Since the injury, he's had 38 plate appearances, during which he had 8 hits, including 3 doubles and a triple, and 10 walks (4 intentional). He also stole 3 bases. OBP of 474 and OPS of 938. Wonder if he's taking something off his swing, while still producing at a reasonably high level.

I'm not sure that not hitting a Home Run in 28 bats is indicative of anything--he's been hitting the ball hard, its just been in play.

But who knows.

[jayshum]

Originally Posted by cgjackson222

I'm not sure that not hitting a Home Run in 28 bats is indicative of anything--he's been hitting the ball hard, its just been in play.

But who knows.

Any idea what Ohtani's longest stretch without a home run was this season before now? When Harper played most of last season after his elbow injury, he still hit for power so it seems like the injury itself shouldn't cause a home run drought, but if Ohtani has altered his swing because of it, there could be a connection to a power outage. However, over a long season, it could just be a brief anomaly.

[Seven]

Originally Posted by jayshum

Any idea what Ohtani's longest stretch without a home run was this season before now? When Harper played most of last season after his elbow injury, he still hit for power so it seems like the injury itself shouldn't cause a home run drought, but if Ohtani has altered his swing because of it, there could be a connection to a power outage. However, over a long season, it could just be a brief anomaly.

There was a period of time this year, where Harper was hitting the ball hard, but wasn't driving it into the seats. He's seemed to have made the proper adjustments and now that's no longer an issue however.

EDIT:

Figured I'd make an edit instead of a double post, granted it's Nightengale who isn't the most reliable, but he's reporting Ohtani might undergo TJ Surgery in 10 days.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sport...y/70757037007/

[jayshum]

Originally Posted by Seven

There was a period of time this year, where Harper was hitting the ball hard, but wasn't driving it into the seats. He's seemed to have made the proper adjustments and now that's no longer an issue however.

EDIT:

Figured I'd make an edit instead of a double post, granted it's Nightengale who isn't the most reliable, but he's reporting Ohtani might undergo TJ Surgery in 10 days.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sport...y/70757037007/

Yes, Harper definitely did not hit for much power following his initial return fromTommyJohn surgery, but he definitely got his power stroke going in August.

It wouldn't surprise me if Ohtani has surgery before the season ends. The Angels are out of the playoff race so may as well have it done to minimize the amount of time he misses in 2024 with whatever team he ends up.

[bk400]

Originally Posted by jayshum

Any idea what Ohtani's longest stretch without a home run was this season before now? When Harper played most of last season after his elbow injury, he still hit for power so it seems like the injury itself shouldn't cause a home run drought, but if Ohtani has altered his swing because of it, there could be a connection to a power outage. However, over a long season, it could just be a brief anomaly.

I read somewhere that he went the last 22 games last season without a home run. I believe that his current "drought" is the longest he's had this season.

[cgjackson222]

Originally Posted by bk400

I read somewhere that he went the last 22 games last season without a home run. I believe that his current "drought" is the longest he's had this season.

Ohtani had 30 straight at bats over a span of 8 games from August 4th through the 12th without a home run. His UCL tear was announced on the 23rd.


Yes, he ended last season with 22 straight games without a homer.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by cgjackson222

Ohtani had 30 straight at bats over a span of 8 games from August 4th through the 12th without a home run. His UCL tear was announced on the 23rd.


Yes, he ended last season with 22 straight games without a homer.

He missed starts or exited early starting in early August, I think, so that's probably when he sustained the injury. I think it's pretty clearly affected his power but still perhaps a sample size thing.

[cgjackson222]

https://twitter.com/zh_sho_o_sy0Z2z/...826032510?s=20

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

He missed starts or exited early starting in early August, I think, so that's probably when he sustained the injury. I think it's pretty clearly affected his power but still perhaps a sample size thing.

This article says he sustained the injury when pitching on August 23rd. I don't know if you can pitch with a torn UCL.

The article also says he may avoid Tommy John:

Balelo explained that when Ohtani sustained his UCL tear in 2018, the tear was at the top of his UCL. But this time, it’s at the base of his UCL and there’s no damage to the repaired UCL from the initial surgery. Balelo, though, wouldn’t get into specifics about the options for Ohtani surgery-wise. There is an operation with a shorter recovery time that involves using an internal elbow brace, but it’s unclear whether that’s on the table.

“Multiple doctors looked at this and said this is the best-case scenario for the situation we're in,” Balelo said. “The ligament itself and the graft that was put in with the ligament in 2018 is still intact, no problems. And that’s a real positive to take away from this.”

Balelo added that Ohtani will be ready to serve as DH to start the 2024 season, even if he gets an operation on the elbow. Ohtani had surgery on Oct. 1, 2018, and didn’t make his season debut in ‘19 until May 7, but Balelo said this time is different because of where the tear is in his elbow. But there is a chance Ohtani has the surgery before the end of the season to make sure he’s ready for the start of next season as a hitter.

Also, this video seems to show he might be in pain just from swinging a bat (or he slipped?)

[jayshum]

Apparently he's not playing Monday because of an oblique injury from batting practice so that's probably what's seen in the video posted above.