ANAHEIM – Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani threw a 30-bull session on Saturday at the main mound at Angel Stadium on Saturday and will be re-evaluated on Sunday to determine when his next outing will begin. Angels manager Joe Maddon said the start could come as soon as Tuesday against the Rangers at Angel Stadium.
Ohtani has only started this season, on April 4 against the White Sox, as he has had a bottle in his right middle finger. But Ohtani threw a slight 10-pitching 10-pitching session on Monday before throwing 23 bullpen pitches on Wednesday. His Saturday tournament came without the use of a finger bandage, which is a good sign for Ohtani, who was reviewed by athletic head coach Adam Nevela after throwing and coming out smoothly.
“I felt it was great,” Maddon said. “He went in to check his finger and Adam thought it was very good. So we’ll make our plans tomorrow. If he comes in and he still feels wonderful, we’ll make our plans right now.”
Ohtani, 26, has been able to serve as a smoothly designated hitter this season and is starting offensively. He entered Saturday’s .333 / .370 / .706 game with four homers, three doubles, two triples and 12 runs in 13 games.
The Angels have managed to get out without the release of Ohtani, as they entered the season with a rotation of six men and made it work without having to call up any starters. But once Ohtani is healthy and ready for launch, he will be a normal part of the six-man rotation in the future. He gave up three runs (one win) in two hits in 4 2/3 innings with seven tackles in his lone start this year.
Maddon said they plan to have a long liberator ready behind Ohtani when he starts in case he experiences any setbacks with his bottle. But Maddon added that it is still too early to determine who he will be, as he will continue to monitor the workload of his lifeguards in the coming days.
Rendon improving, but no target date to return
Third baseman Anthony Rendon (left groin strain) is eligible to return from Wednesday’s injury list against the Rangers, but has yet to advance toward baseball activities. It’s still too early to know if he’ll be ready by Wednesday, though Maddon said Rendon has been showing some improvement.
“I’ve seen him go through his job and he feels better and he’s fine,” Maddon said. “It’s one of those things where Adam and the medical staff don’t want it to happen again. But he is doing well. He is very optimistic and very positive. At the beginning of the week, we should have a much better idea of the goal until Monday or Tuesday. “
• Right player Juan Lagares (left calf stump) has advanced to light running and has been able to practice batting without any problems. He can also rejoin Wednesday.
• Catcher Max Stassi (left thumb tension) has not yet been able to start grabbing again, but has been pulling to keep his arm active. He is eligible to return Friday against the Astros.
• Outfielder Dexter Fowler is scheduled to meet with Dr. Neal ElAttrache on Monday to make an appointment after holding a torn ACL in his left knee on April 9th. Fowler has not yet scheduled his surgery. He is expected to return to play six or nine months after the operation.
• Right-back reliever Félix Peña has recovered almost completely from his right hamstring strain, but remains at the club’s alternative site in Tempe, Arizona. Maddon said he’s still not sure when Peña will be activated because he likes his current bullpen and not in a hurry to make any changes. Peña, however, is left out of the options, so it must be activated when it is healthy and you cannot opt for the alternative place.