“Swings Were Close…”: Two-Way Star Shohei Ohtani Nears Imminent Return as Angels Approach Latest Injury Cautiously

The MLB world has experienced some true wonders this year. A majority of these astonishing performances have come from baseball’s unicorn, Shohei Ohtani. The Los Angeles Angels sensation has changed the outlook of the sport and what lies within the realm of possibilities. But his raw talent and immense power seem to have finally caught up with his body.

Pitching and hitting at the same time with phenomenal statistics in each is no joke, which is why Ohtani’s nickname is ‘Sho-time.’ But at the same time, the burden it puts on the body is serious too. The Japanese wonder won’t pitch again this season because of a UCL tear. But there was another concerning injury that happened recently, although the Halos may have a positive update.

Shohei Ohtani Nearing Return From Oblique Tightness

The two-way star has sat out the last four Angels games due to oblique tightness on his right side. He had injured himself on a swing during batting practice in Monday’s game and was predicted to be out for the next few games. The week has gone by just like that, although Ohtani has gotten better. Bally’s Erica Weston recently gave an update from the Angels.

“He did swing one today, he said the swings were close. Not close enough to start tonight, so they may ramp it up later if he’s got a chance to pinch-hit. He’s close today, took those swings, feels better. He said that I think within a day or two, just not today,” she says in the clip.

The team also reported that it was fortunately not a strain, only minor inflammation, and he would not go on the IL. A quick return is expected and the fact that he’s taking batting practice again means good things for the future. But even if the tail end of 2023 doesn’t end well, Ohtani is a huge favorite for AL MVP.

Sho-time’s Rally for Second AL MVP

When the Japanese phenom arrived in the majors, he was already a master of the game. That didn’t mean that struggles didn’t impede him, what with his first UCL tear and Tommy John surgery. It took him almost two seasons to fully recover but once he did, Ohtani was unstoppable. He won the 2021 AL MVP award and made a strong case for 2022 as well. It was just that Aaron Judge had broken the single-season AL home run record.

READ MORE – Can $360M Aaron Judge Compete With Injury-Impacted Shohei Ohtani as Epic Home Run Chase Nears Conclusion?

No one could stop the two-way player in 2023, however, and he’s most likely to win the American League’s Most Valuable Player title for the second time in his career. His outstanding hitting and pitching stats have made sure that he will be hard to ignore for any award contention.

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