Los Angeles Angels: Shohei Ohtani getting closer to mound work
By David Hill
The Los Angeles Angels have gotten some good news about their prospective rotation in 2020, as Shohei Ohtani is getting closer to returning to the mound.
The 2019 campaign was a disaster for the Los Angeles Angels pitching staff. Due to injury and ineffectiveness, 19 different pitchers made a start for Los Angeles, with a whopping 14 of them taking the ball to begin the game at least five times. Yet, for all those pitchers, the Angels became the first team since the 1919 Phillies to not have at least one pitcher make at least 20 starts in a season, as Andrew Heaney led the squad with 18 games started.
Those struggles should change next year. The Angels are reportedly set to increase their payroll, which will presumably be spent to upgrade the rotation. Heaney and Griffin Canning should be healthy for the start of the 2020 campaign. And, Shohei Ohtani is on track for the next stage in his recovery from Tommy John surgery, as he is expected to pitch from a mound in late November.
Shohei Ohtani update: He’s up to 100 feet in his throwing program and on track to be on a mound in late November. He had knee surgery in September. #Angels
— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) October 26, 2019
Ohtani’s return to the mound would be desperately needed for Los Angeles. Prior to his injury, he had established himself as an emerging star on the mound, posting a 3.31 ERA and a 1.161 WHiP over his 51.2 innings, striking out 63 batters while issuing only 22 walks.
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The aftereffects of Tommy John surgery certainly did not matter to Ohtani at the pate. He continued to emerge as a middle of the order bat last season, producing a solid .286/.343/.505 batting line with 18 homers and 12 steals over his 425 plate appearances, striking out 110 times and drawing 33 walks.
And yet, it is possible that the Angels have yet to truly see what Ohtani can do. While he has impressed in the batter’s box, he did have his elbow injury to consider. Ohtani also made just one start after June 6 in 2018, facing 11 batters before the pain in his elbow forced him to leave the game.
In theory, Ohtani will be fully healthy for the first time in his major league journey next season. With a new, more creative mind on the bench in Joe Maddon, the Angels are finally ready to unleash the complete package that Ohtani can be. That is, as long as his rehab continues without issue.
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Thus far, Shohei Ohtani is progressing nicely, and is set to begin mound work at the end of November. Adding him back to the Los Angeles Angels rotation will help cure some of the ills from 2019.