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Angels' Shohei Ohtani cleared to resume throwing
ANAHEIM, Calif. – Before beginning a three-game series against the Astros Friday, the Angels announced that two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani, who had injured his throwing elbow, has been cleared medically to begin a pitching progression.
Ohtani, 24, has not pitched since June 6, when an MRI revealed a Grade 2 sprain in the ulnar collateral ligament of his pitching elbow. A tear of the UCL typically necessitates Tommy John surgery, but the righthander received both a platelet-rich plasma treatment and stem cell injection for his sprain instead.
He spent nearly a month on the disabled list before returning on July 3 as the Angels' designated hitter.
Since his return, Ohtani has struck out 10 times in 28 plate appearances and batted .250 with three extra-base hits.