The LA Angels pitcher has not played since August 23, when he was diagnosed with a torn ulna collateral ligament.

(Photo: edition.cnn.com)

LA Angels pitcher, Shohei Ohtani, had surgery on Tuesday to repair damage to his right arm just months before he opens bidding to free agency in baseball.

According to USA Today, in a statement release by the LA Angels, agent Nez Balelo, and orthopedist Neal ElAttrache, said that the LA Angels pitcher’s surgery was made with an emphasis on the big picture. Ohtani wanted to make sure that the direction gave him every opportunity to hit and pitch for many more years.

The LA Angels pitcher suffered the same injury last 2018 and underwent Tommy John Surgery that had kept him from playing all but two games of the following two seasons. When he returned, his hitting and pitching earned him the 2021 American League MVP. The LA Angels pitcher is expected to earn the award again this year, but the torn UCL coming just five months before hitting the market, clouded his value.

On Tuesday, the LA Angels pitcher underwent the procedure, though it has remained unclear whether Ohtani had a second Tommy John surgery. ElAttrache said in the statement that the ultimate plan after deliberation with Ohtani was to repair the issue at hand and to reinforce the healthy ligament in place while adding viable tissue for the longevity of Ohtani’s elbow.

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ElAttrache said that he expects full recovery, and the LA Angels pitcher will be ready to hit without any restrictions come opening in 2024, and do both hit and pitch in 2025.

According to Fox News in MSN.com, the LA Angels pitcher announced on his Instagram account that he had surgery as well and planned to cheer for the team on the sidelines as the team finishes out the rest of the season.

The LA Angels pitcher’s agent, Nez Balelo, said that the surgery was a big picture move, and Ohtani is set to be a free agent later this year. Balelo stated that the LA Angels pitcher wanted to make sure that the direction will give him the opportunity to hit and pitch for years.

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