Angels’ Shohei Ohtani’s Elbow Improving, Cleared To Begin Throwing

Shohei Ohtani will resume pitching activities.

The Los Angeles Angels two-way phenom was placed on the disabled list June 8 with a Grade 2 sprain in his ulnar collateral ligament. While many feared he’d need Tommy John surgery, the 24-year-old was activated July 4, but only was used as a hitter for the remainder of the first half of the season. It was presumed that he only would be used as a designated hitter for the rest of the year.

But the Angels announced Thursday that after a visit with his doctor showed more improvement in the damaged ligament, the star is cleared to start throwing again.

Before landing on the DL, Ohtani was 4-1 for Los Angeles with a 3.10 ERA and 61 strikeouts. While there’s no word on when he will begin his throwing program or if the team will continue to use him as a pitcher, it’s certainly a step in the right direction for the team and player.