MLB Weekly Digest August 28th Edition: Ohtani Has Torn UCL

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The last week in MLB was about a player in the American League who has a torn UCL in their pitching elbow, a reliever for a team in the AL is placed on the injured list with a right UCL injury, and a pitcher has decided to retire.

Los Angeles Angels Superstar Shohei Ohtani Has Torn UCL in Pitching Elbow

Los Angeles Angels superstar Shohei Ohtani will not pitch again for the Angels this season as he was diagnosed with a torn UCL in his pitching elbow, general manager Perry Minasian announced, per Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com.

Shohei Ohtani had imaging done and there is a tear in his UCL. Mike Trout is also going back on the IL

— Rhett Bollinger (@RhettBollinger) August 24, 2023

Ohtani left his last start in the opening game of a doubleheader early and was diagnosed with a UCL tear shortly after.

The injury did not prevent him from playing the second game of the doubleheader as the designated hitter; he hit a double and scored a run.

Ohtani will get a second opinion to determine the next course of action.

He has not pitched since the beginning of August and had his couple of starts skipped due to cramping in his hand and arm fatigue.

As a pitcher, Ohtani was having a great season on the mound.

He posted a 3.14 ERA in 132 innings pitched (23 starts) with 167 strikeouts, 55 walks issued, 18 home runs allowed, a 144 ERA+, 4.01 FIP, and a 1.06 WHIP.

The Angels are unsure if Ohtani will require surgery.

He did undergo Tommy John surgery in 2018, and if he has the same procedure again, he will be sidelined until 2025.

Ohtani is a free agent at the end of the season, and another surgery might impact the type of contract he receives.

Baltimore Orioles Place Closer Felix Bautista on Injured List with UCL Injury

The Orioles have placed Felix Bautista on the injured list with "some degree of injury" to his UCL, per @MelanieLynneN pic.twitter.com/Na5epR2MGb

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) August 26, 2023

Félix Bautista has “some degree of injury” to his UCL. Still unsure at this time but will go to the IL.
D.L. Hall recalled.

— Melanie Newman (@MelanieLynneN) August 26, 2023

The Baltimore Orioles have placed closer Felix Bautista on the injured list with a right UCL injury, per a team announcement.

We have made the following roster moves: pic.twitter.com/DHaslYiNVs

— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) August 26, 2023

Bautista suffered the injury a couple of days ago against the Colorado Rockies.

He threw a 102.3-mph fastball and appeared to be uncomfortable after that pitch.

Félix Bautista was just a pitch away from ending this game but had to leave after throwing this one. Hope he's okay. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/vdIMNG8FLc

— Codify (@CodifyBaseball) August 26, 2023

The loss of Bautista is catastrophic for the Orioles as he is the anchor of their bullpen and the best reliever in the American League.

Bautista has compiled a 1.48 ERA in 56 games with 33 saves, 110 strikeouts, 26 walks yielded, four home runs allowed, a 286 ERA+, 1.89 FIP, and a 0.91 WHIP.

The Orioles have the best record in the AL, and Bautista has played an instrumental role in the team’s success.

The team hopes Bautista can return before the regular season ends.

Stephen Strasburg Plans to Retire Due to Injuries

Washington Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg is reportedly planning to retire, sources told Jesse Dougherty and Barry Svrluga of The Washington Post.

Strasburg, the first overall pick in the 2009 MLB Draft, has not pitched since June 9, 2022, due to shoulder and neck injuries.

He has thrown just four and two-thirds innings since undergoing thoracic outlet syndrome surgery in 2021.

Strasburg will be remembered for what happened during the 2019 season.

During the regular season, he posted a 3.32 ERA in 209 innings (33 starts) with 251 strikeouts, 56 walks issued, 24 home runs allowed, a 135 ERA+, 3.25 FIP, and a 1.03 WHIP.

Then, he threw another 36 1/3 innings in the postseason, culminating in helping the Nationals win the World Series and being named World Series MVP.

About Post Author

Chris Lacey

Chris is a New Jersey native whose favorite sports team is the Arizona Diamondbacks. He previously attended Western New England College to study Sports Management. Chris has been following the Diamondbacks since he was 12. You can find him on Twitter at @aecanada12.

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