SHOHEI OHTANI NEWS

Touches triple digits Ohtani's fastball reached 100 mph in his bullpen session Saturday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Impact Ohtani topped out at 90 mph during his first bullpen session, which was either the sign of yet more arm troubles for the two-way sensation or simply the sign of a pitcher gradually getting up to speed to start camp. Thankfully, recent bullpen sessions have shown that it was clearly the latter, as he's now throwing significantly harder. Ohtani's fastball averaged 96.7 mph during his rookie season back in 2018 before he was shut down from pitching due to elbow troubles, and it looks as though he could sit in that range again this year.

FEBRUARY 27, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

10 MLB storylines to watch as Spring Training begins in Arizona, Florida

As spring training begins, MLB analyst Ben Verlander points out 10 MLB storylines to keep an eye on.

FEBRUARY 27, 2021

Pujols says he'll decide future after season with Angels

Albert Pujols hasn't decided whether his 21st major league season will be his last

FEBRUARY 27, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

LA Angels: Shohei Ohtani increases velocity in live batting practice No need to fear Angels fans, it appears Shohei Ohtani is back to throwing hard after topping out at 97 MPH during live batting practice on W...

FEBRUARY 25, 2021 • HALOHANGOUT.COM

Hits 97 on radar gun Wednesday Ohtani said his fastball reached 97 mph during Wednesday's live batting practice session, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Impact There was some pessimism about Ohtani's pitching outlook after he topped out at just 90 mph during a bullpen session last Thursday, but the right-hander proved that those concerns were overblown during his time on the mound Wednesday. Notably, Ohtani hit 97 mph only once during his brief stint as a pitcher last season. The 26-year-old indicated that his elbow feels "much better" compared to 2020, and he could be poised for a bounceback as a hurler if he's able to keep healthy throughout the campaign.

FEBRUARY 25, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Ohtani clocks 97 mph in live BP session Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani eased any concerns about his velocity on Wednesday, as the right-hander said he reached as high as 97 mph...

FEBRUARY 24, 2021 • MLB.COM

Los Angeles Angels: Shohei Ohtani takes unique approach to offseason training Each year when MLB spring training rolls around, there seem to be a few players who preach about their offseason training programs. Articles...

FEBRUARY 21, 2021 • CALLTOTHEPEN.COM

Hoping for Driveline boost Ohtani worked with Driveline Baseball over the offseason as part of a plan to get back to his desired level on the mound, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Impact The two-way phenom has yet to fully deliver on his considerable promise, with Tommy John surgery limiting him to just 12 starts over his first three MLB seasons, including two disastrous outings after he got back on the mound last year. It's not clear exactly what he worked on at Driveline, though he was seen using the company's trademark weighted ball workouts in camp. There's no guarantee that working with Driveline will instantly vault Ohtani into a new tier as a pitcher, but the trip provides one explanation should he showcase a new skill set early in the season. Early reports from camp have been mostly negative, as he topped out at just 90 mph in his first bullpen session, but he didn't seem concerned with his velocity. Fantasy drafters may not share his optimism given his history, but there's every chance his velocity rebounds as his spring buildup continues.

FEBRUARY 20, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

The changes Shohei Ohtani made this offseason to get 'ahead of the game' The Angels two-way star "got down to the nitty gritty" in an offseason overhaul aided by data analysis.

FEBRUARY 20, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Angels Spring Training FAQ, important dates Angels pitchers and catchers reported on Tuesday and held their first official workouts at the club’s Spring Training complex in Tempe, Ariz...

FEBRUARY 19, 2021 • MLB.COM

Angels' Ohtani having more fun, still chasing 2-way dreams

Shohei Ohtani hopes to resume his two-way career with the Los Angeles Angels this season

FEBRUARY 18, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

There'll be no restrictions for Ohtani in 2021 Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani threw his first official bullpen session of the spring on Thursday, throwing 27 pitches to newly acquired...

FEBRUARY 18, 2021 • MLB.COM

Shows reduced velocity in bullpen Ohtani threw a 27-pitch bullpen session Thursday, topping out at 90 mph, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Impact The velocity is well below his career average of 93.2 mph, but it's probably far too early to be worried. Pitchers don't always throw at full intensity right at the start of camp, and Ohtani had reportedly touched 95 mph in recent sessions. Still, given the rocky nature of Ohtani's MLB pitching career thus far, it doesn't take much for the red flags to start to fly. After not pitching at all in 2019 as he recovered from Tommy John surgery, he was shut down following a pair of awful outings last year. Those looking to invest in him in fantasy drafts would certainly love to see his velocity return to normal before doing so.

FEBRUARY 18, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

30 MLB teams, 30 big questions: Kluber's Yankees output, Ohtani's arm, La Russa's fit, more 30 big questions for 30 MLB teams: Corey Kluber's Yankees output, Shohei Ohtani's arm, Tony La Russa's fit and more. Jim Bowden weighs in.

FEBRUARY 18, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM

30 MLB teams, 30 big questions: Kluber's Yankees output, Ohtani's arm, Vlad Jr.'s breakout, more 30 big questions for 30 MLB teams: Corey Kluber's Yankees output, Shohei Ohtani's arm, Vlad Jr.'s breakout and more. Jim Bowden weighs in.

FEBRUARY 18, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM

LA Angels: Joe Maddon says Shohei Ohtani is ‘full-go’ as two-way player After questions of whether or not he will be used as a two-way player this season, it appears we can expect Shohei Ohtani in the batter's bo...

FEBRUARY 17, 2021 • HALOHANGOUT.COM

Los Angeles Angels say all systems go for Shohei Ohtani Shohei Ohtani remains one of the great unknowns in the game. Despite having spent three seasons with the Los Angeles Angels, it is still unc...

FEBRUARY 17, 2021 • CALLTOTHEPEN.COM

Angels manager Joe Maddon on Shohei Ohtani: ‘These numbers are big’ Maddon said Ohtani is “full go” and has been showing impressive velocity readings in his throwing sessions.

FEBRUARY 16, 2021 • DAILYNEWS.COM

Maddon: 'No limits' on Ohtani this spring Angels pitchers and catchers officially reported to the club’s Spring Training complex in Tempe, Ariz., on Tuesday, but two-way star Shohei...

FEBRUARY 16, 2021 • MLB.COM

Set for full two-way role Ohtani will enter camp as a full two-way player, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Impact There was little reason to believe Ohtani wouldn't be a two-way player this season, but it's still good to see it confirmed after he was shut down from pitching following two disastrous starts last year. Despite his considerable hype, Ohtani has now spent three full seasons in the majors and has yet to be a two-way player for any one full campaign. Elbow issues ended his time on the mound just 10 starts into his debut season and eventually led to Tommy John surgery, which kept him as purely a designated hitter in 2019. His awful outings on the mound in 2020 can be explained away by his recovery from that procedure, but it's still hard to have complete confidence that things will finally go well for him in his fourth MLB season.

FEBRUARY 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

AL West teams at the start of spring training

A team-by-team look at the American League West entering spring training, including key players each club acquired and lost, and dates of the first workout for pitchers and catcher...

FEBRUARY 11, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Los Angeles Angels fans will love this Shohei Ohtani bobblehead Los Angeles Angels fans love their two-way sensation, Shohei Ohtani. Now, they can show that love in bobblehead form thanks to FOCO. Before...

FEBRUARY 10, 2021 • HALOHANGOUT.COM

Shohei Ohtani, Angels agree on $8.5 million, 2-year contract

Shohei Ohtani agreed to an $8.5 million, two-year contract with the Los Angeles Angels, avoiding arbitration

FEBRUARY 8, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Avoids two years of arbitration Ohtani and the Angels avoided arbitration for this year and the next by agreeing to a two-year, $8.5 million contract Monday.

Impact The agreement gives both sides stability for the near future, which could prove quite important given that Ohtani's outlook is rather uncertain. He's yet to truly establish himself as the two-way phenom he was billed as when he came over from Japan in 2018, as he was shut down from pitching just 10 starts into his rookie season and didn't throw at all the next year due to Tommy John surgery. A pair of awful outings on the mound to open 2020 made him just a hitter for the rest of the season, but that didn't go at all well as he struggled to a .190/.291/.366 line. If his struggles continue this year, he could look overpaid even at his modest salary, but if his breakout finally arrives he could wind up leaving quite a bit of money on the table.

FEBRUARY 8, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Mets' Davis, O's Santander lose arbitration, Rays' Choi wins

The New York Mets defeated third baseman and outfielder J

FEBRUARY 5, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS