MLB
Where will injured Shohei Ohtani play next season? Dodgers and Giants were the favourites to take him
The Japanese star of the Los Angeles Angels suffered an season-ending elbow injury which could be a sliding doors moment in MLB.
Los Angeles Angels two-way star, Shohei Ohtani, suffered a horrific UCL elbow injury that will see him out for the entire season.
His injury has set the alarm bells firing in Los Angeles, who, without their Japanese hero, will struggle to make as much of a positive impact as they would have liked this season.
However, various teams have kept up their interest in the player despite the physical issues, as Ohtani will indeed be a free agent when the season comes to a close.
Which teams wanted to sign Shohei Ohtani?
The speculation of Ohtani’s next destination has been rife and relentless for a long time, with various teams thought of as being ideal destinations for him to shine across the USA. According to a report from Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Japanese player has the real options of signing for the Los Angeles Dodgers or the San Francisco Giants. It must be said, however, that this interest was confirmed by Nightengale ahead of the news of his elbow ligament tear.
Where will Ohtani play next season?
Now that the whole perspective around MLB player priorities and Ohtani has changed, it appears that the new favourites to sign the sign the 29-year-old are actually his current team, Los Angeles Angels. The MLB side are fully aware of his medical history, his needs in order to fully recover and as such, they can offer the WBC 2023 champion a contract with different variables that correspond to the rehabilitation process.
When will he recover and return to action?
Ohtani left the mound in the middle of an at-bat during the second inning against Cincinnati Reds due to fatigue in his arm.
The player, who was in line for a multi-million dollar bumper contract before suffering his injury, is still a designated batter for the side, keeping in the run to secure the most home runs in a season; over the next few days we expect to hear whether or not he will require surgery on the injury, and that will heavily determine his recovery time.