Otani Shohei (29, LA Angels)' return to the starting lineup has been delayed again.
The LA Angels will play an away game against the Seattle Mariners in the 2023 Major League Baseball at T-Mobile Park in Seattle on the 12th.
On this day, the Angels included Otani in the starting lineup as the second designated hitter. Otani, who recently missed seven consecutive games due to side pain, was expected to return.
However, the starting lineup suddenly changed shortly before the start of the game. Otani was left out and Mike Mustakus was put in the spot.
According to local media, Otani suffered pain again in the injured area while training batting at an indoor batting range before the game, and was excluded from the starting lineup.
A day earlier, Angels manager Phil Nevin said, "Otani will be able to play tomorrow," but as the injury recurred, he watched the game again on the bench.
Otani, who suspended his career as a pitcher this season due to an elbow injury last month, is also raising concerns as his absence as a batter has been prolonged.
Otani will qualify as a free agent after the end of this season. In order to win a big contract, he has to show him to complete the season in a healthy manner, but it doesn't seem easy in the current situation. 토토랭크