BOSTON -- Shohei Ohtani has been cleared to begin a formal hitting progression, Angels general manager Billy Eppler said Thursday.
Ohtani underwent an MRI on Thursday morning that showed improvement in the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. Eppler said Ohtani will be re-evaluated in three weeks but will immediately resume taking batting practice.
Ohtani landed on the disabled list with a Grade 2 sprain of the UCL in his right elbow on June 8. He received stem-cell and platelet-rich plasma injections on June 7 in an attempt to heal his damaged ligament.