OC Register: Shohei Ohtani reports all is normal a day after his return to pitch for the Angels

[AngelsWin.com]

ARLINGTON, Texas — A day after the radar gun readings heard ’round the world, there was still no indication of anything seriously wrong with Shohei Ohtani.

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Ohtani’s first pitching appearance in nearly three months was marked by a dramatic drop in velocity, but Manager Mike Scioscia and Ohtani both reiterated on Monday what he they’d said after the game Sunday.

Ohtani’s elbow is healthy.

“It is a little sore because I threw yesterday in a live game situation, but it’s nothing out of the norm,” Ohtani said through his interpreter on Monday. “I’ll see from here and try to prepare for the next start.”

Ohtani’s next turn on the mound would be on Sunday in Chicago, assuming all goes as planned.

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Scioscia also didn’t seem concerned.

“I think the most important thing is his elbow felt great,” Scioscia said Monday. “He felt nothing in his elbow, which is the most important thing. His back was a little stiff. He took the ball off his ring finger, which was a little sore after the game.”

Ohtani said his back and finger — which was hurt when he reflexively tried to barehand a comebacker — both felt “fine.” He also said that he felt neither would prevent him from being able to hit. He was not in the lineup to hit on Monday, which is standard procedure for the day after he pitches.

After missing much of the summer rehabbing a grade 2 sprain of his ulnar collateral ligament, Ohtani returned to the mound on Sunday and threw 49 pitches. He had been scheduled for 55 to 60, but the back and finger issues ended his outing a little early.

Ohtani was throwing 95-99 mph in the first two innings, but 91-92 mph in the third, which set off alarms that maybe his elbow was not sound. His velocity dropped slightly in the last two innings of his June 6 outing, and afterward he reported the tightness that led to the MRI that led to the diagnosis.

“Naturally a red flag goes up (with a drop in velocity), especially with what happened last time,” Scioscia said Monday. “But Shohei said he felt great. He had no apprehension about what was happening in his elbow.”

Aside from the back and finger issues, Scioscia added another explanation for the drop in the velocity.

“He said his delivery was a little out of whack and he wanted to make sure he could get the ball into decent zones, so he wasn’t really jumping on it,” Scioscia said.

NEW PITCHER

The Angels claimed right-hander Luke Farrell on waivers from the Chicago Cubs. Farrell was optioned to rookie-level Orem, because all the other Angels’ minor league seasons ended on Monday. If the Angels choose to bring Farrell to the majors, the soonest it could be is Friday, after Orem’s season ends.

Farrell, the son of former Boston Red Sox manager John Farrell, has a career 5.28 ERA in 30 games over the past two seasons, with the Kansas City Royals, Cincinnati Reds and Cubs. He has started three games.

This season Farrell started in all 12 of his games with the Cubs’ Triple-A team, posting a 3.64 ERA with 10.1 strikeouts per nine innings.

ALSO

Justin Upton was out of the lineup for a second straight day after suffering a concussion on Saturday. Scioscia said Upton was “better, but not quite cleared to go out and play yet.”…

Tyler Skaggs (groin) had a bullpen session on Monday in Arizona. Skaggs said last week he was aiming to be able to rejoin the rotation around the start of the upcoming homestand, on Sept. 10, and then make three starts. …

Nick Tropeano (shoulder) is throwing, but still has not progressed enough to be throwing off a mound, Scioscia said. …

The Angels are expected to recall another batch of players on Tuesday, following the end of Salt Lake’s season Monday. …

The Angels moved Albert Pujols to the 60-day disabled list and designated Osmer Morales for assignment. They needed to create two spots on the 40-man roster, one for Farrell and one for Matt Shoemaker, who was activated from the 60-day disabled list.

UP NEXT

Angels (LHP Andrew Heaney, 8-8, 4.09) at Rangers (LHP Mike Minor, 10-7, 4.33), 5 p.m., Tuesday, Fox Sports West, KLAA (830 AM).

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