Shohei Ohtani, 2-Time MVP, Says Tommy John Surgery Rehab Going Well
2:00 JST, November 18, 2023
LOS ANGELES — It was no surprise that Shohei Ohtani was named the unanimous winner of the American League MVP Award on Thursday, the second time he has been so honored. One thing on people’s minds is whether the free agent will be the same two-way star he was after having Tommy John surgery for the second time in his career.
Speaking remotely to the MLB Network broadcast of the MVP announcement, the 29-year-old superstar said his recovery from the surgery on his pitching elbow that ended his season with the Los Angeles Angels was going well.
Occasionally smiling, Ohtani answered several questions from the network’s studio hosts through interpreter Ippei Mizuhara. Ohtani was shown dressed casually and sitting on a sofa with a frisky dog.
“As far as the rehab, it’s going great right now,” he said. “It feels a lot better and faster than the first time I had the surgery. But I can’t rush and I have to take the right steps, and my goal is to come back strong next year.”
Ohtani showed his prowess as a top-class pitcher and batter this past season, winning 10 games and blasting a league-leading 44 home runs. It marked his second straight season with double digits in wins and homers.
He sustained the tear to his ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow while pitching in August and had surgery in September.
“I think the balance of pitching and hitting was really good,” Ohtani said. “I think I was able to do that at a higher level. I wasn’t able to play until the end, and I think that might be my only regret.”
When asked about his appeal beyond his performance on the field, Ohtani smiled with a confused look.
“Just really concentrating on baseball is my style,” Ohtani said.
"Sports" POPULAR ARTICLE
-
Japanese Paralympic Archer Chika Shigesada Withdraws from Paris Games in Wake of Defamation of Other Athlete
-
Kishida Meets with Japan’s Paris Olympics Medalists
-
Japan’s Kagami Wins Historic Gold in Women’s 76-kg Wrestling at Paris Olympics
-
Yuka Suzuki Finishes 6th in Women’s Marathon at Paris Olympics; Akira Akasaki also 6th in Men’s Marathon
-
Japan’s National Olympic Team Disbands at Ceremony; Members Praise Audience, Fellow Athletes
JN ACCESS RANKING
- Nankai Trough Megaquake Tsunami could Hit in 2 Minutes; Japan Authorities Urge Caution after Recent Earthquake
- Typhoon Shanshan Forms, Slowly Moves Toward Japan; Govt Says Typhoon No. 10 Likely to Approach Japan Next Week
- Typhoon Ampil Approaching Japan
- Shizuoka Pref. City Offers Foreigners Free Japanese Language Classes; Aims to Raise Non-Natives to Daily Conversation Level
- Typhoon No. 10 Forecast to Develop; Move into Pacific Ocean South of Japan on Aug. 26