The Angels had their annual team photo on Tuesday, though there was one notable absence from the squad. Shohei Ohtani was not present for the picture as he nursed an oblique injury he sustained earlier this week.
In his absence, L.A. opted to use a body double in place of Ohtani. Rather than come forth and say who the individual was, the Angels kept his identity under wraps.
According to Bally Sports West, Angels PR described the stand-in for Ohtani as being ”very tall in the front office, name not to be discussed."
Sarah Valenzuela of the Los Angeles Times posted a video to X, formerly Twitter, in which the team could be seen bizarrely escorting the anonymous individual out of the bullpen exit after the team photo.
It appears there was a stand in for Ohtani at photo day, who was escorted back off the field through the bullpen exit. pic.twitter.com/FP8z8FQqxn
— Sarah Valenzuela (@Sarah_IsabelVee) September 5, 2023
Other images circulated social media in which the individual could be seen posing in the team photo, though it’s fair to say he lacked any real resemblance to Ohtani other than his height.
This is the guy that filled in to be Shohei Ohtani for the Angels team photo LMAOOOOOOO pic.twitter.com/7KXFL6N2b7
— Addison (@YankeeWRLD) September 6, 2023
Angels manager Phil Nevin said that Ohtani will be in the team picture when its made available to fans, indicating the team intends to Photoshop him into the image.
Ohtani was a late scratch for Monday’s tilt against the Orioles after suffering an oblique injury during batting practice. Additionally, the 29-year-old was diagnosed with a partial tear in his UCL in August, which resulted in L.A. shutting him down as a pitcher, though he was still available to DH.
