Shohei Ohtani might’ve just made his first unofficial step out of the Los Angeles Angels organization.
Shortly after news emerged that Ohtani had cleaned out his locker in Los Angeles, the organization announced that the two-way phenom would miss the remainder of the season with an oblique injury.
After sustaining a UCL injury that halted his ability to pitch this season, Ohtani will now be finished altogether for the rest of 2023 as the Angels prepare to miss the playoffs once again.
After an entire season’s worth of speculation, this really could be the beginning of the end for Ohtani’s time with the Angels.
Angels announce that Shohei Ohtani has been placed on the injured list with an oblique injury and will be out for the remainder of the season. pic.twitter.com/Jn3hpnZEx9
— MLB (@MLB) September 16, 2023
Ohtani could very realistically choose to leave the Angels to join a different MLB franchise and possibly land the payday of a lifetime once 2024 free agency kicks into gear.
A possible Tommy John surgery to help Ohtani’s UCL injury could lessen a possible deal, but he’s the best player in baseball and will still most likely land a historic contract with a new team if he wants out of Los Angeles.
We’ll see what else the Angels have to say about Ohtani’s season ending and keep our eyes squarely focused on his prospects as a free agent.