Shohei Ohtani had one heck of a primary inning on Wednesday in opposition to Cincinnati Reds.
However it could have come at a value for the Los Angeles Angels.
Ohtani struck out a pair of Reds batters within the high of the primary inning, after which hit his league-leading forty fourth residence run within the backside of the primary to present the Angels an early 2-0 lead over Cincinnati:
Nonetheless, Ohtani’s day ended shortly thereafter. Ohtani was lifted in the midst of an at-bat within the high of the second, and the staff reported that he was pulled as a result of “arm fatigue:”
Shohei Ohtani was faraway from as we speak’s recreation with arm fatigue.
— Angels PR (@LAAngelsPR) August 23, 2023
Ohtani pitched an entire recreation one-hitter in opposition to the Detroit Lions again on July twenty seventh, however has pitched simply 11.1 innings since then over the course of three begins. He lasted simply 4 innings in opposition to the Seattle Mariners on August third, placing out 4 and never permitting a run. That begin got here on six days’ relaxation. He then went six innings in opposition to the San Francisco Giants on August ninth, placing out 5 and getting the win.
Then got here Wednesday’s begin, the place he went simply 1.1 innings.
Whether or not this can hamper his pitching, or each features of his recreation, stays to be seen.
As that is taking place, the Angels are struggling within the playoff race. Los Angeles was simply 4.5 video games again within the AL West as July drew to a detailed, however they presently sit 11 video games again within the division, due to a 5-14 document in August. Making issues worse, the Angels are actually 9.5 video games again within the Wild Card chase, with each the Toronto Blue Jays and the Boston Pink Sox forward of them.
Shedding any facet of Ohtani’s recreation — for any size of time — could possibly be a deadly blow to their playoff probabilities.