Ohtani to continue hitting and pitching after elbow injury, says agent

Shohei Ohtani's agent says the Los Angeles Angels' two-way superstar is determined to continue his career as both a pitcher and a hitter after he recovers from his latest elbow injury.

Nez Balelo said Monday that he thinks it's "inevitable" that Ohtani will need some sort of procedure to heal the ligament tear in his pitching elbow, but they're still gathering opinions on whether that procedure should be Tommy John surgery or a nonsurgical remedy as he heads into free agency this winter.

Balelo said Ohtani wants to continue playing this season as the Angels' designated hitter, although he acknowledged the plan could change soon if they decide to have a surgical procedure early to get ready for the start of the 2024 season. Hitters who have Tommy John surgery typically require six to eight months of rehabilitation before they can hit again.

"I do know this: No matter what timetable we're dealing with and when we get this done, Shohei is going to be in somebody's lineup next year DHing when the bell rings," Balelo said. "We know that."

Perhaps coincidentally, the Angels pulled Ohtani from their lineup against Baltimore on Monday night about one hour before first pitch and about one hour after Balelo spoke, citing tightness in the designated hitter's right oblique muscles. Ohtani has missed only two games all season.

Shohei Ohtani was scratched from tonight’s lineup due to right oblique tightness.

"If we continue to gather information that we feel is applicable to what our future is ... if there's anything that affects that, we will probably make a decision," Balelo said.

Ohtani is the frontrunner to win his second AL MVP award in three seasons after winning 10 games on the mound and hitting a major league-leading 44