Angels News: Shohei Ohtani Avoids The Worst After Exiting Game Early on Thursday

Ohtani and the Halos catch a big break.

Los Angeles Angels fans can breathe a sigh of relief.

Halos two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani exited the second game of Thursday's doubleheader early on Thursday, leading to concern as to whether or not the MVP favorite could be off the field for an extended period of time.

Not so, said Angels manager Phil Nevin, as he mentioned after the games that he expects Ohtani to be the designated hitter on Friday in their series opener against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Phil Nevin said he expects Shohei Ohtani to DH tomorrow. Was just cramping.

— Sam Blum (@SamBlum3) July 27, 2023

For what it's worth, Nevin attributed Ohtani's cramps to his workload on Thursday, and the two-way player had arguably the best day in baseball history in the doubleheader.

He started off his day in Detroit by holding the Tigers to just one hit in a complete game shutout -- Ohtani's first shutout of his career -- and ended it by hitting two home runs in the nightcap as the Angels got a doubleheader sweep over the Tigers.

Nevin was... impressed to put it mildly, as he said when the Angels finished off their two-win day.

“He just cramped up. I mean really a lot of volume [on Thursday] for him,” Angels manager Phil Nevin said. “As I’ve said many times, certainly something I’ve never seen. I’m not sure at any level what he did in the first game, obviously with the complete game, and then two home runs in the second game but important two wins for us.” (per Sarah Valenzuela of the Los Angeles Times)

So Angels fans can rest assured knowing that they'll still have their best player making his mark as the Halos try to break their nine-year playoff drought. As of Friday afternoon, the Angels are only three games back in the race for the American League's final playoff spot.