Shohei Ohtani

Tommy John surgery recommended for Angels' Shohei Ohtani

Published Sep. 5, 2018 8:11 p.m. ET

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The Los Angeles Angels say Japanese two-way star Shohei Ohtani has new damage in his right elbow and Tommy John surgery has been recommended.

The Angels said Ohtani had an MRI on Wednesday in Texas that revealed the problem in his ulnar collateral ligament.

Ohtani had been scheduled to throw a light bullpen session. He was still in the Angels' lineup as the designated hitter for their series finale against the Rangers.

The 24-year-old rookie was diagnosed with a sprained UCL following a start June 6 and was treated with a platelet-rich plasma injection and an injection of stem cells. He was hitting again in early July, and returned to the mound with his start Sunday at Houston.

Ohtani lasted only 2 1/3 innings in the start Sunday, when he had a drastic drop in velocity during the game.