Angels' Shohei Ohtani to Throw Off Mound 'Soon' in Tommy John Surgery Recovery

The 2020 MLB season does not yet have a date for Opening Day, but Los Angeles Angels designated hitter and pitcher Shohei Ohtani is nearing a return to the mound after undergoing Tommy John surgery in September 2018.  

Angels pitching coach Mickey Callaway provided an encouraging update on the 25-year-old:

Ohtani was still able to appear in 106 games last season while starting 91 as the Angels designated hitter. He posted a .286/.343/.505 slash line with 18 home runs and a career-high 62 RBI. His 2019 season, in which he did not pitch, ended after he needed surgery on his kneecap in September.

The left-handed hitter batted .285/.361/.564 with 22 homers and 61 RBI across 367 plate appearances in 104 games as a rookie in 2018. On the mound that year, the right-hander went 4-2 with a 3.31 ERA and 1.16 WHIP in 51.2 innings pitched across 10 starts.

The Japanese star was named the 2018 American League Rookie of the Year.

Callaway added to reporters on Tuesday that the Angels have a schedule in place for Ohtani, but since Opening Day is in limbo, they are "in a bit of a holding pattern."

ESPN's Jeff Passan reported Monday night that MLB and the MLBPA "are increasingly focused on a plan that could allow them to start the season as early as May and has the support of high-ranking federal public health officials who believe the league can safely operate amid the coronavirus pandemic."

The reported plan would demand all 30 teams play in Phoenix at empty stadiums.

MLB provided an official update Tuesday:

The delay will allow Ohtani more time to get back to full strength and help the Angels make the postseason for the first time since 2014. L.A. hasn't won a playoff game since 2009.