It’s been a long road for Shohei Ohtani, but the two-way star is finally on the path to recovery. On Thursday, Ohtani underwent Tommy John surgery to repair a damaged ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. The surgery was performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache of the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic in Los Angeles.
Dr. ElAttrache has predicted that Ohtani will be able to return to hitting by Opening Day 2024 and pitching by 2025. This timeline is a bit longer than the typical recovery time for Tommy John surgery, but Dr. ElAttrache believes that Ohtani’s unique situation requires a more conservative approach.
Ohtani has been dealing with elbow issues since 2018, when he was diagnosed with a partial tear of his UCL. He attempted to rehab the injury, but ultimately opted for surgery after experiencing discomfort during spring training.
The Angels have been supportive of Ohtani throughout the process, and they are optimistic that he will make a full recovery. Manager Joe Maddon has said that the team will take their time with Ohtani’s rehab and make sure he is fully healthy before returning to the field.
Ohtani has been a key contributor for the Angels since joining the team in 2017. He has hit .280 with 48 home runs and 166 RBIs in three seasons, while also posting a 3.31 ERA and 1.16 WHIP in 24 starts on the mound.
The Angels are hoping that Ohtani can return to his two-way form once he is healthy, and they are confident that Dr. ElAttrache’s timeline is realistic. If all goes according to plan, Ohtani should be back on the field by Opening Day 2024 and ready to make an impact both at the plate and on the mound.
