Shohei Ohtani struck out 63 in just 51 2/3 innings of work as a rookie in 2018. Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Angels targeting May for Shohei Ohtani to start pitching again

Originally posted on Sportsnaut | By Vincent Frank | Last updated 2/11/20

Los Angeles Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani did not pitch a single game last season after undergoing Tommy John Surgery.

While he was not on the hill, the Japanese sensation did pick up a bat. The 2018 Rookie of the Year hit .286 with 18 homers, 62 RBI and a robust .848 OPS in his second big-league season.

There’s now good news on this front for Los Angeles. According to Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register, the Angels expect Ohtani to be back on the mound by mid-May.

Angels targeting mid May for Shohei Ohtani to start pitching. He will be able to hit from opening day.
— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) February 11, 2020

That has to be music to the ears of Angels fans the world over, especially after the long-anticipated trade of Joc Pederson from the Dodgers fell through.

Ohtani, 25, pitched to a 4-2 record with a 3.31 ERA and 1.16 WHIP as a rookie in 2018. He struck out 63 batters in just 51 2/3 innings of work.

This article first appeared on Sportsnaut and was syndicated with permission.

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