LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP)–Los Angeles Angels pitcher-hitter Shohei Ohtani has been cleared for batting practice and the Japanese star could be approved to pitch in July, Angels general manager Billy Eppler said Thursday.
Ohtani underwent an MRI exam Thursday that showed healing in his sprained right elbow ligament, Eppler said in a posting on the Major League Baseball website.
Ohtani will resume batting practice and could advance to face full-speed pitches this weekend.
But when it comes to a mound return, the first pitcher to serve as a regular batter since Babe Ruth a century ago will be re-evaluated in three weeks to determine whether or not he will be able to return to pitching this season.
Ohtani was placed on the disabled list on June 8 and received stem-cell and platelet-rich plasma injections in an attempt to heal the ligament.
Despite the improvement, the 23-year-old Japanese star might yet need tendon replacement surgery, which would mean a long layoff of at least a year. Eppler said team doctors have not yet recommended that operation.
“No doctor has told me that Shohei needs surgical intervention at this time,” Eppler said.
Ohtani throws right-handed and bats left-handed, so hitting will not risk greater damage to his throwing elbow.
Eppler said Ohtani would not play in developmental league games during his rehabilitation.
“The fact that he does not have to go play defense allows us to do such a progression in a private and controlled setting,” Eppler said.
Ohtani was hitting .289 with six home runs in 34 games before the injury while going 4-1 as a pitcher with a 3.10 earned-run average and 61 strikeouts over 49 1/3 innings.
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