Tokyo, Japan-based Doai Kinen Hospital's Masamitsu Tsuchiya, MD, treated a first-degree sprain of Los Angeles Angels two-way player Shohei Ohtani's right ulnar collateral ligament, Yahoo Sports reports.
Here's what you should know:
1. Dr. Tsuchiya treated Mr. Ohtani's injury with a platelet rich plasma injection in October. Although the procedure temporarily shut Mr. Ohtani down from all baseball-related activities, it's expected he'll be able to begin throwing in the offseason.
2. A first-degree sprain is the least severe of UCL injuries, but if the ligament is damaged further, it could lead to Tommy John surgery.
3. Mr. Ohtani signed with the Los Angeles Angels last week. The much-hyped young prospect came to MLB from the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters of Japan. Mr. Ohtani is both a pitcher and a batter. It's expected the injury will not impact the upcoming season, unless it worsens.
4. Los Angeles Angels General Manager Billy Eppler was not concerned with the sprain. The team put Mr. Ohtani through a physical with MRI scans. Mr. Eppler said to Yahoo Sports, "Based on the readings of those MRIs, there are not signs of acute trauma in the elbow. It looks consistent with players his age."
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