ANAHEIM – Angelino star Shohei Ohtani held a 30-pitching bullpen session at the Angel Stadium Range on Saturday and will be re-evaluated on Sunday to determine if he will make his next opening. Angelino manager Joe Maddon said this outing could be as early as Tuesday against the Rangers.
Ohtani has only made one opening in the season, on April 4 against the White Sox, by fighting with a bottle in the middle finger of his right hand. But Ohtani threw a 10-shot light bullpen session on Monday, before throwing 23 balls on Wednesday. Saturday threw unprotected to the finger; a good sign for Ohtani, who was reviewed by athletic coach Adam Nevela after the exercise and determined there were no problems.
“I heard everything went really well,” Maddon said. “They checked his finger and Adam said he looked good. Tomorrow we will decree the plans.”
Ohtani, 26, has been able to continue playing as a designated hitter with no problems so far this season and has started hot. Until Saturday average 333/370/706 with four homers, 3 doubles, two triples and 12 throws in 13 games.