Shohei Ohtani, Agent Refused Initial MRI Offer From Angels, GM Says

This past month has once again brought the superstar’s troubling medical history to light.

Angels designated hitter and pitcher Shohei Ohtani is working on another season for the ages: a .305/.408/.665 slash line, 44 home runs and 91 RBIs, to go with a 10–5 record on the mound, 167 strikeouts and a 3.14 ERA.

However, in a way, Ohtani’s season is now 50% over.

Ohtani was diagnosed with a torn UCL after his start against the Reds Wednesday, leading Los Angeles to shut him down on the mound for the season. He is expected to continue to hit this year, but questions about his impending free agency rebound.

On Saturday, Angels general manager Perry Minasian revealed to reporters that Ohtani had been offered an MRI after a finger cramping incident earlier in the month—and refused.

Perry Minasian just revealed that the Angels offered to do an MRI on Ohtani’s arm after his cramping episode earlier this month and Ohtani and his agent refused because they didn’t think it was necessary.

— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) August 26, 2023

That episode took place on Aug. 3, when Ohtani was forced into an early exit after throwing four scoreless innings in an eventual 5–3 loss to the Mariners.

Ohtani’s plans for after the season remain a closely guarded secret, but few instances of friction between the superstar and Los Angeles have been aired in a public forum quite like this one.