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Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani stands in the on-deck circle during the first inning in the first baseball game of a doubleheader against the Cincinnati Reds Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
QUEENS — Los Angeles Angels general manager Perry Minasian isn’t quite sure what the course of action is for his generational star, Shohei Ohtani, after he tore his UCL earlier this week. But one thing is for certain.
“He’s going to play,” Minasian said outside the visitor’s clubhouse at Citi Field ahead of the series opener between the Mets and Angels on Friday night. “[We’re] going to come up with a plan but as we sit here today, he’s going to play.”
Ohtani and the Angels are still waiting for word on a second opinion on what the course of action will be for the superstar 29-year-old, who is still capable of swinging a bat — though he won’t pitch again this season as surgery is still an option.
Minasian still was unable to divulge whether or not the tear of Ohtani’s UCL was full or partial.
“Sorry I don’t have more for you guys,” he said as he retreated back into the Angels’ clubhouse.
While he wasn’t made available to speak to the media on Friday afternoon, Ohtani was in the Angels’ lineup batting second as the designated hitter. Per Minasian, that will be the plan “for the foreseeable future.”
“He’ll tell us each and every day,” he added.
There appears to be little concern about Ohtani playing with this injury. After he was pulled from his start on Wednesday against the Cincinnati Reds with the injury, he socked his league-leading 44th home run of the season.
“His hitting is fine,” Angels manager Phil Nevin said.
The decision to continue playing with the injury will undoubtedly be a hot topic for the remainder of the season. Ohtani is going to be the…
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