Shohei Ohtani Ruled Out for Rest of 2023 Season With Oblique Injury

Another remarkable year for the Angels star is prematurely coming to an end.

Angels star Shohei Ohtani will miss the reminder of the MLB season, the team announced Saturday, according to ESPN’s Alden González.

Los Angeles plans to place Ohtani on the injured list due to an oblique injury, per González. The Angels are expected to speak further about the decision later on Saturday.

Reports surfaced last night, the the Angels two-way superstar cleared out his locker at Angel Stadium on Friday night after the team’s 11-2 loss to the Tigers. 

Ohtani, who has missed the last 11 games since suffering the oblique injury during batting practice on Sept. 4, is an overwhelming favorite to be named the American League’s Most Valuable Player for the second time in the last three seasons after hitting .304 with 44 home runs and 95 RBI’s this season. On the mound, Ohtani posted a record of 10–5 with a 3.14 ERA.

The Angels announced that Shohei Ohtani has been placed on the injured list with an oblique injury and will be out for the remainder of the season pic.twitter.com/6Pg3OrZYBe

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) September 16, 2023

Earlier this month, Ohtani's agent Nez Balelo admitted that the three-time All-Star would need elbow surgery, but stopped short of stating Ohtani would require a second Tommy John surgery on his injured elbow. 

Balelo also stated that Ohtani plans to play at DH throughout next season, and doesn’t believe a procedure would prohibit him from performing in that role.

The decision to place 29-year-old star on the injured list, now brings the question of whether he has worn the Angels’ uniform for the last time ahead of his looming free agency.