Shohei Ohtani underwent surgical procedure at the moment to handle the UCL tear in his proper elbow, based on an announcement launched by his agent Nez Balelo.  The precise sort of the surgical procedure (whether or not a Tommy John process or an inner brace) wasn’t specified by Balelo or Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who carried out the process.

“The final word plan after deliberation with Shohei was to restore the problem at hand and to bolster the wholesome ligament in place whereas including viable tissue for the longevity of the elbow,” Dr. ElAttrache mentioned within the assertion.  “I count on full restoration and he’ll be able to hit with none restrictions come Opening Day of 2024 and do each (hit and pitch) come 2025.”

Ohtani himself additionally commented on the state of affairs by way of his Instagram web page, in a considerably uncharacteristic transfer for a participant recognized for his relative lack of public statements.  Ohtani’s assertion: “I had a process completed on my elbow earlier this morning and every thing went properly.  Thanks very a lot for everybody’s prayers and type phrases.  It was very unlucky that I couldn’t end out the yr on the sector, however I shall be rooting on the boys till the tip.  I’ll work as onerous as I can and do my finest to come back again on the diamond stronger than ever.  Go Halos!!”

As famous by Jeff Fletcher of the Southern California Information Group, ElAttrache’s description appears to suggest that Ohtani opted for a brace process, or at the least one thing totally different than a typical Tommy John surgical procedure.  TJ procedures have a reasonably set timeline of 13-15 months whereas brace procedures (a comparatively newer sort of surgical procedure) have typically had a shorter timeline, but ElAttrache’s assertion signifies that Ohtani isn’t anticipated to pitch in 2024.

It’s potential extra info on Ohtani’s pitching standing would possibly develop as he continues to rehab, although Balelo mentioned “the ultimate resolution and kind of process was made with a heavy emphasis on the large image.  Shohei needed to verify the route taken gave him each alternative to hit and pitch for a few years to come back.”  With this warning in thoughts, it appears potential that Ohtani isn’t planning to pitch in 2024 in any way, particularly since he already had a Tommy John surgical procedure in late 2018 that restricted him to DH-only responsibility in 2019.

Ohtani nonetheless hit a really strong .286/.343/.505 with 18 homers over 425 plate appearances in 2019, along with his season debut held off till Might 7 because of the TJ rehab course of.  He then pitched only one 2/3 innings in 2020 resulting from a flexor pressure and in addition struggled on the plate in the course of the abbreviated 60-game season, however Ohtani has subsequently rebounded with three of probably the most uniquely excellent seasons in baseball historical past.

Since Opening Day 2021, Ohtani has a 2.84 ERA over 428 1/3 innings pitched, whereas hitting .277/.379/.585 with 124 house runs over 1904 PA.  This two-way excellence earned him AL MVP honors in 2021, a runner-up MVP end in 2022, and really possible one other MVP trophy this season, regardless that his yr has been minimize brief by harm.  The UCL tear meant that Ohtani’s final begin got here on August 23, and whereas he tried to maintain going as a hitter, he hasn’t performed since September 3 resulting from an indirect pressure.  The Angels introduced over the weekend that Ohtani had formally been positioned on the 10-day injured record, and wouldn’t play once more in 2023.

Consideration now turns to Ohtani’s subsequent resolution, as he’ll enter free company with a resume in contrast to every other participant to ever attain the open market.  It stays to be seen how Ohtani’s surgical procedure will affect his market, although even when he’s unable to pitch in 2024, most pundits really feel he’ll nonetheless land a record-setting deal, maybe topping the $500MM threshold.

It’s fairly potential that the advertising and marketing alternatives and additional revenues out there to the group that indicators Ohtani will offset the additional threat of his elbow issues, as even when there’s some pure long-term query about Ohtani’s arm well being, he offers loads of worth even when he “solely” an elite hitter.  golf equipment will clearly need as a lot info as potential on Ohtani’s well being and rehab standing earlier than making their resolution on a significant contract provide, although ready too lengthy to deliberate may additionally value a group an opportunity at making the signing.

There was a lot hypothesis that Ohtani has already performed his final sport in an Angels uniform.  Los Angeles has proven a willingness to pay huge cash for star expertise, but since Ohtani has been vocal about his want to play for a winner, the Angels’ string of eight consecutive dropping seasons would possibly get him trying elsewhere, it doesn’t matter what possession would possibly provide in a brand new contract.  Ohtani’s free company would be the key storyline of the 2023-24 offseason, and it isn’t a attain to say that a lot of the winter enterprise across the sport could be held as much as some extent till Ohtani chooses his subsequent group.