Club criticized for mismanagement
Interview the manager to rebut criticism
By Dae-hyun Moon = The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (LA Angels) are facing growing criticism after the elbow injury of Major League Baseball (MLB) superstar Shohei Ohtani (29).
The Associated Press and other foreign media outlets published an interview with Angels President Perry Minasian on July 27 (KST).
According to the interview, Minasian said, “When Ohtani felt cramps in his hand during the Seattle Mariners game on March 4, I suggested that he undergo a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination, but Ohtani and his agent declined,” he said.
“The only time he had an MRI was after his elbow injury. Earlier this year, we also offered an MRI to Ohtani and his agent, but they declined.”
Ohtani left the mound on April 4 in Seattle after just four innings with finger cramps.
There were “red flags” about his condition, but he returned to the mound on Tuesday against the San Francisco Giants and appeared to have recovered, going six innings and allowing one run (unearned).
After being off the mound for a while for management, Ohtani started the first game of a doubleheader against the Cincinnati Reds on April 24, 14 days later, but with one out in the second inning, he left the mound on his own after complaining of right arm discomfort.
A subsequent examination revealed a right ulnar collateral ligament injury that will keep him out for the rest of the season.
After the news broke, the Angels were criticized for failing to recognize the warning signs of Ohtani’s injury, and for exacerbating the player’s injury.
The Angels initially didn’t react much to the news, but as public opinion grew worse, the team’s general manager actively communicated the club’s position.온라인카지노
“This injury is difficult for both us and Ohtani,” Minasian said, “but when he refused to undergo an MRI earlier, we had to respect his wishes. You can’t force a player to do something he doesn’t want to do.”
As for Ohtani continuing to play as a hitter after his elbow injury, he said, “It’s completely his decision. We respect his wishes,” he said, adding, “It’s up to him to decide what he wants to do in the future.”
Meanwhile, Ohtani is 10-5 with a 3.14 ERA as a pitcher this season, and a respectable .307 batting average with 44 home runs, 92 RBIs, and a 1.084 OPS.
Ohtani is eligible for free agency after this season, but an elbow injury could put a damper on a big contract.