ANAHEIM – English two-way star Shohei Ohtani will be limited to about 75 places and will not return to the hill at Angel Stadium against the Rangers on Tuesday night, manager Joe Maddon said on Monday.
Ohtani plans to make his second start of the season after handling a blow to his right middle finger on April 4 in the lone start of the year against the White Sox. Wednesday and Saturday without a bandage on his finger.
But with Ohtani’s limited number of scores on Tuesday, the Englishman decided they would not use him as a hit in the same game he started, so they could use a designated hit for the entire game. Ohtani batted second when he started on the hill against the White Sox, hitting a home run in his first innings, while hitting seven over 4 2/3 overs and allowing one earnings.
“He will reach the 75-point mark, but you have to look and see with the blow,” Maddon said. “You just have to pay attention. Can be more, can be less. He feels pretty good. With the uncertainty I’m not going to hit him tomorrow, just in case something goes wrong early and then we have to scramble through the rest of the night with a short bench. ‘
As for Wednesday’s day game, Maddon said it’s too early to know if Ohtani will be in the series the day after his start. But he was in the series against the Rangers on Monday, and it depends on him whether he wants to serve as DH on Wednesday.
“We’ve talked about it and I’m waiting to hear what he thinks about it,” Maddon said. ‘It may be that he will want to wait until after he gets up to say something. And if that’s the case, it’s good. ”
Ohtani defeated the Rangers 6-4 on Monday, saying he was ready for his return to the hill, but that he would not know how the bladder would react until he threw at full intensity. He also said he is hopeful he will be in line again on Wednesday, but it is too early to know for sure.
“There are no problems at the moment,” Ohtani said through interpreter Ippei Mizuhara. ‘It could be a different story once we get to playing time, but there are currently no problems. My bladder was quite large and affected my four-seamer when I went against the seams. I used to get blisters on the inside of my fingers from the splinters. But this one was not of the split. ”
Rendon starts light baseball activities
Third baseman Anthony Rendon has been out with a left groin system since April 10, but he knocks off a tea, throws and does light field work on Monday. Rendon could return from the injured list on Wednesday, but it looks likely he will need more time.
“He’s getting closer,” Maddon said. “I do not hear anything negative at the moment. It is all progressing positively, which is good. ”
However, Maddon has said he does not have an official timeline for when Rendon may be back, but the club are hopeful that it will be soon. With Rendon out, Luis Rengifo started at third base on Friday and again on Monday.
“I do not think it is much further, but I will wait until he continues his activities,” Maddon said. “He looked good, but he did not really push it. Of course we have to get along with the exercise group, but I do not think it’s too far. ”
• The Angels held a light training session on Sunday after postponing their games against Minnesota on Saturday and Sunday due to COVID-19 problems with the Twins. Right-hander Alex Cobb and left-hander José Quintana both faced forwards trying to stay sharp. Quintana would start on Saturday, but would take the hill against the Rangers on Wednesday, while Cobb would start the series start against Astros on Thursday in Houston.
• Right-back Dexter Fowler met with Dr Neal ElAttrache on Monday to plan his surgery to repair his torn ACL in his left knee. Fowler will end the season on April 27th. He is expected to have a recovery time of six to nine months.