Angels News: Shohei Ohtani Finally Gives in to Fatigue, Will Miss a Start

Ohtani has been lighting it up this season, and needs a break.

Each of Shohei Ohtani's starts have been must-see TV.

The 29-year-old currently holds a 3.17 ERA and hasn't allowed a run in three starts — including an incredible nine-inning, one-hit performance against the Detroit Tigers.

All the while, Ohtani has been one of, if not the, best hitters in baseball. He is slashing .305/.407/.661 and has hit a major league-high 40 home runs.

However, it hasn't been an easy ride for Ohtani. Not only has he had to deal with trade rumors swirling since the start of the season or constant speculation on where he will sign when he hits free agency at the conclusion of the season, but he has also been playing injured.

A cracked fingernail and a nagging blister on the same finger have gotten in the way of his performance on the mound at times, and now, Ohtani will miss a start.

Ohtani says, however, that injury was not a factor in his decision to ask manager Phil Nevin to skip his start against the Texas Rangers.

"He knows his body better than anybody," Nevin said. "I trust him when he talks about it. He's assured me that there's no pain. There's no injury. It's just he's got some regular arm fatigue that some go through at times. I trust him when he tells me this and he'll be ready for his next time out."

(Via

The Orange County Register

)

Nevin confirmed that Ohtani will still participate as a designated hitter.

"He feels good at the plate, feels healthy swinging the bat," Nevin said. "He's just got some normal arm fatigue that happens sometimes."

(Via

The Orange County Register

)

Ohtani is on track to surpass his 2022 total of 28 stars, even after taking out his would-be start against the Rangers.

"I think everyone's going through the peak of their fatigue right now around this time of the year," Ohtani said through his interpreter after Wednesday's win over the Giants.

The Angels are fighting for a spot in the playoffs, currently 6.5 games behind in the AL Wild Card.