The Los Angeles Angels head into play on June 29, six games out of the American League West and still within striking distance of a Wild Card slot, with the All-Star break upcoming.
Sitting just a half-game out of the third Wild Card spot, Angels manager Phil Nevin has a lot to thank two-way star Shohei Ohtani for as he continues his red-hot stretch. At the plate, his month of June has been the best in Major League Baseball, posting a 271 wRC+ with 13 home runs and 26 RBI thus far.
But on the mound, his game has continued to improve. In his last two starts, he’s allowed just two earned runs over 13.1 innings pitched, while racking up 22 strikeouts.
Thankfully, the Angels and Ohtani escaped without big injury news during his most recent start against the Chicago White Sox, per Jeff Fletcher of the O.C. Register:
Shohei Ohtani, who came out of Tuesday’s start with a broken fingernail on his middle finger, is still scheduled to make his next start on Monday in San Diego, which would be his normal schedule.
Ohtani was still able to rack up 10 punch outs on Tuesday, before having to exit. But the quick word on his next outing, puts a lot of worry to rest.
The 28-year-old has battled with a fair amount of walk issues all season, including five in his June 9 start versus the Seattle Mariners. Ohtani and the Angels will certainly monitor how his fingernail factors into his control and if it impacts his next start.
Shohei Ohtani won MLB Player of the Week
Ohtani was named American League Player of the Week this past Tuesday, his fifth career weekly award.
He became the first member of the Angels to receive the award since current teammate Reid Detmers won it last season after tossing a no-hitter.
It was Ohtani’s first since winning it on July 6, 2021. After his terrific performance this past week when he hit .435 with six home runs, smacked two doubles and drove in 12 RBI with nine runs scored and one steal.
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