ANAHEIM, California – Shohei Ohtani throws a competitive ball into the mound at Angel Stadium on Tuesday for the first time in two years.
Ohtani struggled with his control in the Los Angeles Angels intrasquad game, walking eight batter around 50 pitch. The two-way star and manager Joe Maddon are not too worried about the results of another key day in the return of Ohtani from Tommy John’s operation.
“I can throw all my throws today, so I will only try to build it,” Ohtani said through a translator. “Obviously it feels very different from my bullpens, especially because I’m not used to throwing it to my teammates. That kind of threw me a little. “
Ohtani hasn’t played at Big A since June 9, 2018, when he left the game with what was originally called a blister. Ohtani was closed as a pitcher for three months, and AL Rookie of the Year only returned for one outing in September before it was decided that he needed elbow surgery.
“I have just seen a man who did not have a good rhythm in his delivery,” Maddon said. “He’s not as sharp as he can be, obviously.”
Shohei OhtaniThe AP
Ohtani only served as the designated hitter for the Angels last season, hitting .286 with 18 homers and 62 RBI. He intends to continue his two-way career when the 60 season regular majors begin at the end of this month.
Ohtani has gradually built up his arm strength since spring training through training at the Angel Stadium amid a coronavirus pandemic. He is not scheduled to return to the mound this season until May, and the Angels hope he can make one start per week during the regular two-month season.
Ohtani struggled with control during his first spring training with Angels in 2018, but he mostly shook off the misery when he got to the regular season.
“I was told that it looked like it did a few years ago, and there is nothing to worry about or worry about,” said Maddon, who returned to the Angels organization at the end of the season. “She’s healthy. She’s going well.”
