Los Angeles (AFP) – Los Angeles Angels pitching and batting standout Shohei Ohtani has been cleared to throw from the mound after left knee surgery in September, Angels general manager Billy Eppler said Tuesday.
The 25-year-old Japanese standout, who won Major League Baseball’s 2018 American League Rookie of the Year honors, is also nearing the end of his rehabilitation from “Tommy John” right arm tendon replacement surgery in October 2018.
Ohtani underwent left kneecap surgery because he was bothered by the injury when trying to throw off a mound in September. That operation forced him to halt his arm rehabilitation, which still has three or four weeks remaining.
After making his fame as a pitcher and batter in his rookie campaign, Ohtani was used only as a designated hitter this past season, batting .286 with 18 home runs, 20 doubles, 12 stolen bases and 62 runs batted in over 106 appearances.
In 2018, Ohtani made 10 starts with a 3.31 earned-run average and 63 strikeouts over 51 2/3 innings.
Ohtani intends to return to his two-way role in 2020 but the Angels have not said if they expect him to be ready to pitch for the start of the 2020 season on March 26.
Ohtani is expected to pitch once a week and play as the Angels’ designated hitter three or four times a week during the 2020 season.
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