It is expected that we will not see pitcher Ohtani in this year’s All-Star game. From the first episode, the signs were not good.
Ohtani started the game against the San Diego Padres held at Petco Park in San Diego, California on the 5th (hereinafter Korean time) and recorded 7 hits (2 homers), 4 walks, 5 strikeouts and 5 runs in 5 innings and was knocked out. He finished the final game of the first half with an earned run average of 3.32 for the season.
Ohtani did not look very good from the first episode. On the 28th of last month, he played against the Chicago White Sox, pitching well with 4 hits, 2 walks, 10 strikeouts and 1 run in 6⅓ innings. He was very active at the time, hitting even the wedge gun, but he was grated when his middle finger nail broke.
Ohtani was originally scheduled to take the mound against San Diego on the 4th, but after resting for another day, he took the mound for the match on the 5th. However, Ohtani’s pitching condition did not seem to have fully recovered. He threw 92.6 miles (about 149 km) four-seam against lead batter Kim Ha-seong in the first inning. This ball was the highest speed of the four-seam in the first inning. His lowest velocity was down to 92.2 miles (148 km). He averaged 97.1 miles (156 km) four-seamer for the season, but Ohtani’s velocity was not what it used to be. He had a best speed of 98 miles (158 km) and an average speed of 95.3 miles (153 km) throughout the race.
His position did not come to life, and his command was not perfect. His velocity increased, but his pitching was not outstanding, and his breaking pitch was flat. In the end, he got two home runs and was hit with back-to-back home runs from Zander Bogarts and Jake Cronenworth in the sixth inning. Ohtani allowed the first back-to-back home run in his debut. In the end, Ohtani, who personally sent an autograph to the bench, voluntarily gave up. During the match, the club explained that Ohtani was ruled out due to a problem with blisters on his fingers.
First of all, with three games left until the All-Star break, it seems possible to play as a designated hitter for the remaining period. However, pitching in the All-Star game is unknown. Ohtani was selected as an All-Star in the American League designated hitter category at the All-Star Game held at T-Mobile Park in Seattle this year. He was also named as a pitcher in the final roster for the All-Star Game, which was released on the 3rd. It is not a starter like last year, but this year, attention was focused on whether he would be able to climb the all-star mound as a pitcher.
However, due to a blister injury that day, pitcher Ohtani’s appearance in the All-Star Game was virtually eliminated. After the game, Ohtani said, “It’s basically a similar injury to the last appearance. He was not completely healed and the situation got worse as the game went on,” he said. “It was hard to press the ball because of his nails. As the game went on, the velocity also dropped.”메이저사이트
He then explained that he would focus on rest rather than pitching in the All-Star Game, saying, “I think it will be difficult to pitch in the All-Star Game,” and “I hope to be able to receive treatment for about 10 days before the first game after the All-Star break.” In addition, he cautiously approached whether to hit or not, saying, “I think I will have to watch three games before the All-Star Game.”
From the perspective of the Angels, it is better for Ohtani to prepare for the first game of the second half against Houston on the 15th rather than rushing to the All-Star Game. Trout’s right wrist fractured, and Anthony Rendon’s condition was not normal as he was hit on the knee by his own foul ball that day. Ohtani’s injury is a blue sky for the Angels. That’s why he manages more carefully and is likely to skip the All-Star game.