Getty Image / Matt Thomas/San Diego Padres
The MLB All-Star break is quickly approaching, as the game is set to take place on July 11.
However, baseball’s biggest star may not be in attendance, as Shohei Ohtani suffered an injury in his last outing.
After giving up back-to-back home runs to the San Diego Padres, the Los Angeles Angels star thew an ugly wild pitch. It might just be the worst pitch of his career.
Soon after, he was taken out of the game due to a finger blister.
not the apocalypse but felt like it just for a second pic.twitter.com/IdM4bqPW8u
— Codify (@CodifyBaseball) July 5, 2023
Sports Illustrated reports that Shohei Ohtani stated after the game that he “probably won’t pitch in next week’s MLB All-Star Game.” So, there is a chance he’ll still participate as a designated hitter.
A finger blister is certainly not the worst case scenario for Ohtani. If anything, he just needs several days to rest his hand before getting back on the mound.
Even so, the Angels might have had the worst 4th of July for a baseball team this year, as three of their top players have fallen to injury.
ESPN’s Alden González shares a timetable showcasing the injury news about Mike Trout, Anthony Rendon, and Shohei Ohtani that transpired on July 4.
11:45 am: Angels announce Mike Trout fractured the hamate bone in his left hand.
4:40 pm: Anthony Rendon fouls a ball off his leg and leaves the game.
5:30 pm: Shohei Ohtani exits the mound with a trainer.
Oh my.
— Alden González (@Alden_Gonzalez) July 5, 2023
As of this writing, Trout is the only one of the three on the injured list. González reports that the Angels may have dodged a bullet for Rendon and Ohtani.
The Angels say Anthony Rendon left with a shin contusion and that Shohei Ohtani has a blister, which is probably reassuring given the optics and the circumstances.
— Alden González (@Alden_Gonzalez) July 5, 2023
Regardless, the Angels are in a tough spot no matter how you look it. Luckily for them, the All-Star break is right around the corner.
But the LA is currently just over .500 on the season and are in third place in the AL West.
With Trout already missing time, the Angels can’t really afford to lose Rendon and Ohtani as well.
At the very least, the fans are not too happy with what’s going on right now.
This team is cursed and I’m done with them. Hate being an Angels fan. Sell it all
— Troy Means (@troymeans) July 5, 2023
Some are losing faith in the playoff race.
And another Angels playoffless season summed up in a tweet
— Mitchell Skurzewski (@MSkurzewski) July 5, 2023
More news regarding Shohei Ohtani should come to light relatively soon.
He hasn’t ruled out the possibility of playing on offense, so the Angels could luck out and keep Ohtani in the lineup as a designated hitter.
Although the Angels are in a tough spot, it’s not as bad as the fanbase makes it out to be.