Shohei Ohtani homers twice after getting Tommy John recommendation

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Los Angeles Angels pitcher/designated hitter Shohei Ohtani was informed Wednesday that he needs Tommy John surgery, likely shelving one of Major League Baseball’s most dynamic players until the 2020 season.

If that is the case, then Ohtani appears determined to go out with a bang and show fans what they will be missing in the 18 or so months he will be out of action.

In the Angels’ 9-3 win over the Texas Rangers on Wednesday night, Ohtani had four hits in as many at bats, blasted two home runs, scored four runs, drove in three and — for good measure — added a stolen base.

Ohtani’s first blast came in the fifth inning off Rangers pitcher Austin Bibens-Dirkx. It gave the Angels a 6-0 lead.

Three innings later, Ohtani went yard again, this time off the Rangers’ Eddie Butler.

Ohtani had an MRI on Wednesday in Texas that revealed the problem in his ulnar collateral ligament. After a start in June, Ohtani was diagnosed with a sprained UCL and was treated with a platelet-rich plasma injection and an injection of stem cells. 

Ohtani went nearly three months between starts, returning to the mound against the Houston Astros on Sunday. That start did not go well, as he lasted just 2 1/3 innings, giving up 2 earned runs.

Contributing: The Associated Press.