Ohtani expected back by Halos' next homestand
ANAHEIM -- Thursday is not only the Angels’ last game at Angel Stadium in 15 days, it figures to be their last true home game without Shohei Ohtani in the lineup.
Angels manager Brad Ausmus has been reluctant to put a target date on Ohtani’s return, but he came close Thursday before the finale of the club's three-game series against the Blue Jays when he was asked whether the recovering slugger would be in the lineup against the Kansas City Royals when the Angels return home on May 17.
“Well, we’re on the road for the next two weeks,” Ausmus said, pondering the question about Ohtani’s return. “Yeah, there is always a risk for a setback, but I would say that is likely.”
Technically, the Angels have home games on Saturday and Sunday against the Houston Astros, but those will be played in Monterrey in the final segment of MLB's Mexico Series. From there, the Angels travel to Detroit, Baltimore and Minnesota before returning home.
Though Ausmus continues to play it close to his chest, there is a chance Ohtani could return even before the next homestand. The only series he has been ruled out of is the two-game set in Mexico.
Ohtani, who underwent Tommy John surgery early in the offseason, participated in another simulated game before Angel Stadium was open to the media. The left-handed hitter had six at-bats, flying out three times and hitting a ground ball, a double down the left-field line and a fly ball to right-center.
Ohtani also ran the bases and incorporated a slide into the mix for the first time. He will not pitch this season, but the hope has always been that he could return to DH sometime this month.
“For the most part, he will be a regular [designated hitter] when he comes back,” Ausmus said. “He will play against righties and lefties. He will need days off, and we will probably time that where there is a lefty on the mound for the other team. But he will play regularly.”
Ohtani batted .285 with a .361 on-base percentage and a .564 slugging percentage last season. He hit 22 home runs with 66 RBIs in 104 games, on his way to winning the American League Rookie of the Year Award.
Eyes on Mexico Series
There will be two teams on the road this weekend when the Angels and Astros play in Monterrey, Mexico, but the biggest logistical issue, according to Ausmus, will not be getting the team and equipment into place.
“It sounds like the weather will be a challenge, more than anything,” Ausmus said. "There are a lot of logistics that both the Angels and MLB are involved in to make this a smooth process. But the one thing you can’t control is the weather, and they are expecting thunderstorms. A lot of them.”
Cozart injury update
After a setback in his recovery from a stiff neck, third baseman Zack Cozart is once again trending in the right direction, Ausmus said. Cozart is eligible to return from the 10-day injured list on Saturday, but it is not known whether he will. He did take swings in the indoor batting cage on Thursday.