Shohei Ohtani Day-to-Day After Suffering Ankle Injury vs. Yankees

Los Angeles Angels star Shohei Ohtani was removed in the seventh inning of Friday's game against the New York Yankees with a mild left ankle sprain. 

Yahoo Sports' Tim Brown provided more details: 

This is just the latest injury concern for the dual-threat star. Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports reported shortly after Ohtani signed with Los Angeles that he had undergone a platelet-rich plasma shot back in October, and an MRI showed a first-degree sprain of his right UCL. More recently, he left an April start with a blister on his pitching hand.

Despite rampant speculation during spring training that he wasn't ready for the majors, Ohtani quickly showed he belonged in the majors by getting off to a strong start both at the plate and on the mound. He homered in three straight games as a hitter and took a perfect game into the seventh inning of his second start as a pitcher.

Entering Friday, the 23-year-old had hit .333/.378/.619 with three home runs, a double and 11 RBI in 11 games this season. He has also gone 2-1 with a 4.43 ERA, 1.131 WHIP and 26 strikeouts in four starts. 

Losing any regular hurts. However, given he is a two-way player, Ohtani's absence will be felt twice as much.

On offense, the Angels still have plenty of firepower even with this injury. Zack Cozart, Mike Trout, Albert Pujols and Justin Upton are plenty capable of putting runs on the board. Ohtani's absence, however, could allow for the 38-year-old Pujols to put less wear on his body by starting at designated hitter rather than first base.

Ohtani was the most coveted free agent of the offseason and the Angels signed him to help end a three-year playoff drought. With a record of 16-9, Los Angeles entered Friday a half-game up in the American League West.

Now, it will try to hang in the race without its phenom for a day or two.