Shohei Ohtani has a great season at the plate and on the mound. Here are some of his top 2021 highlights. (1:30)
ANAHEIM (Calif.) Shohei Ohtani will pitch on Sunday for the Los Angeles Angels after his sore right arm felt better during a bullpen session.
Ohtani threw 30 pitches on Friday. The Angels decided that their two-way star isn't finished yet as they close out another non-playoff year.
Ohtani is currently 9-2 and has a 3.36 ERA with a 1.12 WHIP in 21 starts this season for Angels. However, the AL MVP candidate experienced arm fatigue Wednesday while playing catch. Last Friday, Ohtani was also raked by Houston Astros. He gave up six runs and nine hit while failing to make it past the fourth inning in his first loss since May.
Ohtani was originally scheduled to start Friday against Oakland, in Los Angeles' last homestand opener. However, Ohtani was delayed Wednesday as the Angels debated whether or not to close him down on the mound.
To close out the weekend, Ohtani will be facing the A's who are chasing the playoffs.
Ohtani pitched 115/3 innings this season, while also serving almost every day as the Angels designated hitter. In the second half, Ohtani has been apathetic at the plate. He batting.200 and only seven homers in 44 of his previous games before Friday.
After a strong summer, he fell behind Vladimir Guerrero Jr. from Toronto and Salvador Perez from Kansas City in the major league homers' race.
Ohtani walked in the first inning, and then he popped out in the second against A's. He started the homestand in second place in the majors for extra-base hits, fourth in the slugging percentage, and fifth in OPS.
