What It Means:

Ohtani is recovering from Tommy John surgery. Maddon expressed the same optimism for Griffin Canning (elbow) and Felix Pena (knee). All three wouldn't have been able to pitch when the season was initially scheduled to begin in late March. It sounds like Ohtani is ready to serve as a two-way player for the Angels in the upcoming 60-game season. Ohtani's batting average was consistent from 2018 to 2019, but his ISO fell from .279 to .219 and his slugging percentage dropped from .564 to .505.

Ohtani recorded a 3.31 ERA with 63 strikeouts (29.9 strikeout percentage) and 22 walks (10.4 walk percentage) over 51 2/3 innings in 2018 in his first and only season pitching in the majors. He owns a career .286/.351/.532 slash line with 40 home runs, 123 RBI, 110 runs scored, and 22 steals over 792 plate appearances.