On the heels of last night’s disappointing news for baseball fans everywhere, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:
1. Will Ohtani require surgery?
As previously alluded to, Angels GM Perry Minasian indicated to reporters yesterday that two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani will not pitch again this season after suffering a tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. Ohtani, of course, is in the midst of his third-straight sensational two-way campaign and appears to be the front-runner for the 2023 AL MVP award even in spite of his injury. Ohtani and the Angels are, as noted by Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register, looking for second opinions before any decision on surgery is made. Tommy John surgery would wipe out Ohtani’s chances of pitching in 2024, though an internal brace procedure could leave the door open for him to pitch next year. Any such decisions will depend on the severity of the tear and its placement on the ligament, and all of baseball will be awaiting updates from the Angels as they gather more information.
2. What’s next for Suarez?
Padres right-hander Robert Suarez was thrown out of yesterday’s game against the Marlins before throwing a pitch following a foreign substance check. First base umpire Todd Tichenor explained after the game that the righty’s left wrist was the area at issue, though Suarez countered that he had simply applied sunscreen for protection during the day game in San Diego. Given players who are ejected after a foreign substance check are automatically subjected to a 10-game suspension, it’s all but certain Suarez will receive one from the league today. The 32-year-old has the right to appeal the suspension, a course of action he told reporters he’s considering. Should the suspension go through, it would be a major blow for the Padres, who will not only lose a solid reliever for ten days but will be unable to replace him on the active roster.
3. Dodgers, Guardians to complete suspended game:
Yesterday’s Dodgers-Guardians game was suspended in the top of the third inning due to rain, and will resume at 11:10am CT this morning. Once the suspended game is completed, the clubs will square off in a today’s regularly scheduled game later in the afternoon. The makeshift doubleheader opens the door for Dodgers right-hander Ryan Pepiot, who made his season debut with the big league club over the weekend, to take the ball in today’s second game opposite Guardians righty Gavin Williams as the club’s 27th man. Since a club’s 27th man is not subject to minimum stays in the minors when optioned, the Dodgers will have the opportunity to start Pepiot today and then option him back to the minor leagues without losing the ability to use him in the next turn through the rotation. Fans with tickets to yesterday’s game can find information about ticket exchange options here.