7 years agoLos Angeles Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani (back) showed diminished velocity in his return to the mound against the Astros on Sunday night, but the team doesn't think it's related to the sprained elbow ligament that kept Ohtani off the mound for around three months. The Japanese righty's fastball dropped from 96-97 mph to 91-92 in the third inning. He left the game after throwing only 49 pitches over 2 1/3 innings in the 4-2 loss. Manager Mike Scioscia said Ohtani suffered some back stiffness between the first and second innings and was also dealing with a sore right finger after trying to make a barehanded snag of a comebacker. The Angels are hopeful that Ohtani will be able to make his next start, which would come next Sunday against the White Sox. Ohtani said his right elbow feels fine, so if he's ready come next weekend, fantasy owners will want to use him against the lowly White Sox.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBaller
Source: MLB.com - Maria I. Guardado