ANAHEIM, Calif. — Los Angeles Angels superstar Shohei Ohtani He was out of Friday's lineup against the Toronto Blue Jays Back soreness and teammate Anthony Rendon sat with a right hand issue.
Manager Joe Maddon indicated that the reigning AL MVP was available to the bench as a pinch hitter. Maddon said that Ohtani was likely to be back as designated hitter for Saturday's game.
After Thursday's 6-3 loss, the Japanese two-way sensation claimed that he felt a twinge after he threw a pitch in the first inning. After Ohtani's third inning loss, trainers noticed that Ohtani was moving differently on the mound in between pitches.
Ohtani pitched six innings, allowing five runs on six hits and 10 strikeouts. The right-hander has a record of 3-3 and a 3.45 ERA. With 63 strikeouts, he was ranked sixth in the American League. He is currently batting.249, and tied for sixth place in the AL with 29 RBI.
Rendon had an MRI of his right wrist on Friday. He has had this condition for the majority of the season. However, it flared up in Thursday's game when Rendon tried to hit a ball outside of the strike zone. Because of various injuries, he played only 58 games in the last season.
Tyler Wade Rendon was out of town and he was at the third base position.
