Angels Star Shohei Ohtani to Undergo Tommy John Surgery in Offseason

The Angels recommended earlier this month that Ohtani undergo surgery.

Angels two-way player Shohei Ohtani will undergo Tommy John surgery during the first week of the offseason, the team announced Tuesday.

The Angels recommended earlier this month that Ohtani have surgery after a MRI revealed new damage to his ulnar collateral ligament in his right pitching elbow. He will likely be sidelined from the mound until the 2020 season.

“I think it was the proper decision Shohei made to have surgery, and the sooner the better,” Angels manager Mike Scioscia told reporters Tuesday.

Ohtani, 24, has continued to hit this season despite the injury to his pitching elbow. In 99 games as a hitter, Ohtani has batted .280 with 21 home runs and 56 RBI this season. Following surgery, he is expected to be cleared to hit by early next season.

As a pitcher, Ohtani has recorded a 3.31 ERA with 63 strikeouts in 10 games.