Shohei Ohtani is probably essentially the most extremely valued free agent in MLB historical past. Nonetheless, what appeared like a sure-fire $500 million-plus contract now seems to be extra difficult than any group could be prepared to present him on account of his elbow ligament surgical procedure.
Though it was not publicized that the surgical procedure was a second Tommy John, he won’t be able to pitch till the 2025 season, relegating him to designated hitter duties within the 2024 marketing campaign, which undoubtedly causes uncertainty as as to if he’ll be capable of proceed as a two-way participant sooner or later.
Is the ‘Japanese Babe Ruth’ over?
The truth is that amongst MLB executives themselves, there may be speak that Shohei Ohtani is not going to pitch once more, at the least for a very long time, as reported by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, who spoke with a excessive command of a Nationwide League group.
2023 PitchingNinja Award for Greatest Revenge after Trash Speak.
Winner: Shohei Ohtani (vs Juan Soto) pic.twitter.com/YBXIm4cyGX
? Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) November 17, 2023
Ohtani’s numbers in 2023
The pitcher/slugger earned his second MVP, additionally unanimously as he did in 2021, after posting an unimaginable marketing campaign on either side of the ball: As a pitcher he threw 132 innings, 167 Ok’s, 10-5 report and three.14 ERA.
As a hitter, he led the American League with 44 dwelling runs, with a .304/.412/.654 line and led all of MLB in OPS, OPS+ and WAR with 1.066, 184, and 10.0 respectively. The Japanese beat out World Collection champions Corey Seager and Marcus Semien, who went 2 and three.
2023 PitchingNinja Award for Greatest Revenge after Trash Speak.
Winner: Shohei Ohtani (vs Juan Soto) pic.twitter.com/YBXIm4cyGX
? Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) November 17, 2023
