Los Angeles Angels manager Brad Ausmus declined to give an exact timetable for the return of two-way star Shohei Ohtani, but said he probably will be ready to hit for the team “sometime in May.”
During his first meeting with the media at spring training, Ausmus said Ohtani has begun to take some dry swings in the batting cage as he works his way back following Tommy John surgery.
“I’m not going to put a date on it, but we’re thinking sometime in May,” Ausmus said of Ohtani’s possible return date.
Ohtani was medically cleared last month to resume full strength training on his right arm following surgery Oct. 1, including beginning weight training as the right-hander rebuilds strength on his right side. But the AL Rookie of the Year will officially not be active when the Angels open the regular season in late March, general manager Billy Eppler said last month. Ohtani is not expected to pitch again until 2020.
“He’ll be doing what he’s been medically cleared to do,” Eppler said, adding that Ohtani will continue to participate in the Angels’ spring training camp in Tempe, Arizona, but only in his current rehab program.
Ohtani is attempting a unique recovery from Tommy John surgery as he tries to continue his hitting career while resting his pitching arm for the customary length of elbow ligament replacement rehabilitation.
During his dynamic rookie year in the majors, Ohtani batted .285 with 22 homers and 61 RBIs in just 367 plate appearances while going 4-2 with a 3.31 ERA and 63 strikeouts over 10 pitching starts.