Angels' Ohtani expected to return as 2-way player in spring training
Los Angeles Angels phenom Shohei Ohtani is expected to return to two-way duties in time for spring training, Maria Torres of the Los Angeles Times reports.
The 26-year-old's rehab is progressing well, and he's now throwing from up to 120 feet - about twice the distance from the mound to home plate - at 75% effort after starting to play catch in early October.
Ohtani was held to two abbreviated starts in 2020 following his return from Tommy John surgery. The right-hander wound up throwing 1 2/3 innings while allowing seven runs on three hits and eight walks and striking out three batters.
Ohtani would later be diagnosed with a UCL sprain, and he became the club's designated hitter for the remainder of the season. The 2018 AL Rookie of the Year struggled at the plate, though, posting a .657 OPS with seven homers over 44 games.
Since joining the Angels prior to the 2018 season, Ohtani has made 967 plate appearances while pitching 53 1/3 innings.