[INJURY] Ohtani Tears UCL

[2014olympicgold]

He was removed from Game 1 last night in the 2nd inning because of "arm fatigue". He didn't talk to media between Game 1 and Game 2, played game 2 finishing 1/5 with a double. Turns out he tore his UCL in Game 1.

He will get a 2nd opinion on if he'll need TJS, which he has already had on that elbow.

[PenguinHunter]

Oh what horrible timing for The Angels and Ohtani.

Angels missed out on trade value for him.

Ohtani doesn't have a contract for next year.

[hockeyrobot]

The Angels!?!? What about my fantasy team!!!

Frigging HF....

[2014olympicgold]

He'll likely continue to hit. 1. to prove he still has value as a hitter while recovering from TJS. 2. To 100% secure his MVP 3. The guy came out after tearing his UCL and played Game 2, he will push hard to continue to play.

If anything, this opens the door to a lot more possibilities this offseason.

I suspect an early players option in a deal, like year 3 or 4. He should get TJS this offseason, won't pitch until 2025, and won't return to his level until 2026. So his opt out should be 2027-ish. He'll be like 33yrs old in 2027. You're kind of at the end of "cash in big" territory at that age.

[LuigiC173]

my Dodgers will sign him, TJ hasn't stopped them before. Drafted Buehler knowing he would have to get it.

[StuntMan12]

So he can continue to hit during this time? I would've thought any arm injury from pitching would somewhat translate to hitting.

[2014olympicgold]

So he can continue to hit during this time? I would've thought any arm injury from pitching would somewhat translate to hitting.

He'll lose power, but they are still determining if it's a full tear or a partial tear of the UCL. Harper last yr hit with a UCL tear.

[LuigiC173]

the UCL is an overhand motion injury, the side to side motion of swinging won't be as bad. Surely not 100% but he has to prove his worth some way for what is now going to be a diminished value deal.

[2014olympicgold]

If anything, this closes the doors on teams who were on the edge. It actually helps LAA.

[LawMan]

Terrible timing for Ohtani obviously, this is going to be an interesting and unique story to follow:
1. Does he need Tommy John surgery ?
2. Can he still hit? and have power? as a LH tearing your right UCL is bad as the right arm is the power arm.
Typically a pitcher has Tommy John and takes a whole season off, but these days most come back at 100%... Could Ohtani sign a massive deal, take the year off pitching, DH and then return to pitcher and hitter in 2025?
3. How much does this injury cost him in free agency? Some team will still give him big, big dollars but at the same time this injury could cost him $60-100 million compared to what a fully healthy Ohtani would get.

Is there a world where he signs a short-term 1 or 2 year, lower level dollar amount to "bet on himself"? He's already 29 so you would think he wants his life-time contract now and even if its "only" $400m and not the $500m that was being discussed it's hard to say no to $400m.

Anyways, the most unique players in MLB history is about to enter the most unique Free Agency in MLB history.

[2014olympicgold]

Terrible timing for Ohtani obviously, this is going to be an interesting and unique story to follow:
1. Does he need Tommy John surgery ?
2. Can he still hit? and have power? as a LH tearing your right UCL is bad as the right arm is the power arm.
Typically a pitcher has Tommy John and takes a whole season off, but these days most come back at 100%... Could Ohtani sign a massive deal, take the year off pitching, DH and then return to pitcher and hitter in 2025?
3. How much does this injury cost him in free agency? Some team will still give him big, big dollars but at the same time this injury could cost him $60-100 million compared to what a fully healthy Ohtani would get.

Is there a world where he signs a short-term 1 or 2 year, lower level dollar amount to "bet on himself"? He's already 29 so you would think he wants his life-time contract now and even if its "only" $400m and not the $500m that was being discussed it's hard to say no to $400m.

Anyways, the most unique players in MLB history is about to enter the most unique Free Agency in MLB history.

This is his 2nd TJS if he has it. This is a big red flag in the modern MLB and TJS, and pitchers typically do not return to the same level after their 2nd TJS.