ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Los Angeles Angels superstar Shohei Ohtani was out of the lineup Friday night against the Toronto Blue Jays with back soreness, and teammate Anthony Rendon sat with a right wrist issue.
Manager Joe Maddon said the reigning AL MVP was available off the bench as a pinch-hitter. Maddon also said it was likely that Ohtani would be back in the designated hitter spot for Saturday night's game.
The Japanese two-way sensation said after Thursday night's 6-3 loss that he felt a twinge in his back after throwing a pitch during the first inning.