Even if they are not committing to a set date, the Los Angeles Angels are getting closer to having Shohei Ohtani back in the lineup.
The Los Angeles Angels have been playing better baseball as of late. Winners of four in a row heading into Friday, they have won six of their last seven contests, pulling to within two games of .500. As they slowly creep up the standings, they will need any reinforcements possible to make that push for a berth in the postseason.
One of those reinforcements is getting closer to making a return. Even though the Angels have yet to put an exact day on his activation, they are expecting Shohei Ohtani to be in the lineup by May 17.
#Angels expect to activate Shohei Ohtani before they return to Anaheim on May 17, Brad Ausmus said.
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) May 2, 2019
Even though he will not be returning to the mound until next season, his presence in the lineup will be a major boost to a lineup needing to find some protection for Mike Trout. Despite missing time due to his elbow injury and the days he was on the mound, Ohtani produced an excellent .285/.361/.564 batting line, hitting 22 homers and stealing ten bases over his 367 plate appearances.
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As he has received approximately 40 at bats in simulated games, it may take some time before he is fully ready to contribute. Ohtani did have a slow start to Spring Training last year, but quickly turned adjusted once the regular season began. Those 40 at bats may show that Ohtani is healthy, but it is not the game as actual game action.
Even though he may not be able to replicate that hot start to his season, his presence should dramatically help the Angels lineup. While Mike Trout has continued to be Mike Trout, Brian Goodwin and Tommy LaStella are the only real protection he has in the lineup currently. Ohtani would change that.
It will also be fascinating to see what he does playing virtually every day. While he may have time off when taking the next steps in his rehab from Tommy Joh surgery, Ohtani will still get plenty of plate appearances. Adding his powerful bat to the lineup could end up being the boost the Angels need.
Shohei Ohtani is getting close to returning. As the Los Angeles Angels are starting to play better, his return could not come at a better time.