Shohei Ohtani started the first game of the Angels’ doubleheader with the Reds on Wednesday afternoon by striking out two batters in the top of the 1st inning and hitting a two-run homer in the bottom of the frame. Ho-hum. But his velocity was down a bit, just 93 mph rather than his normal 96-97, and he knew something wasn’t right after throwing a fastball to the sixth batter he faced.
Manager Phil Nevin and trainer Mike Frostad came out to check on the righty and he left shortly thereafter, though it didn’t seem like a big deal at the time.