Ohtani 'penciled in' for Wednesday start
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DETROIT -- Two-way star Shohei Ohtani was not in the starting lineup for the Angels' 9-3 loss to the Tigers on Monday because he was scheduled to throw a bullpen session.
While manager Mike Scoscia was not clear about a timetable for Ohtani to pitch again, he did say following Monday's game that the right-hander is "penciled in" for a Wednesday start against Detroit. Ohtani was originally scheduled to pitch Sunday against the Yankees, but was taken out of the rotation for what the Angels called "workload management."
"Right now he'll just throw his bullpen and get ready to pitch, but he is available," Scioscia said. "There's some things we might juggle. Too many things to talk about with every scenario right now."
Entering Monday, Ohtani had hit in the past six games, which Scioscia noted is something he hasn't done since joining the Majors this season. Ohtani's .291 batting average ranks third among Angels hitters with at least 50 at-bats. He has six home runs and 20 RBIs in 103 plate appearances.
On the mound, Ohtani has a 4-1 record and 3.35 ERA. His last appearance was a win on May 20 vs. the Rays.
Other notes
• The Angels announced that lefty reliever Ian Krol has been designated for assignment. Krol made his lone appearance for the Angels on Sunday, tossing two scoreless innings against the Yankees. In a corresponding move, righty reliever Akeel Morris was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake. Morris last pitched for the Angels on May 9.
When a player's contract is designated for assignment -- often abbreviated "DFA" -- that player is immediately removed from his club's 40-man roster, and 25-man roster if he was on that as well. Within seven days of the transaction (it was previously 10 days), the player must either be traded, released or placed on irrevocable outright waivers.
• Left fielder Justin Upton returned to the lineup Monday for the first time since sustaining a left forearm contusion on Saturday against the Yankees. He went 1-for-4 with a walk and two strikeouts against his former team.