Los Angeles Angels pitcher and designated hitter Shohei Ohtani batted four times Sunday against the Chicago White Sox, but was pulled late in the game with groin tightness.
Ohtani, 27, is the reigning American League MVP after hitting 46 home runs, 100 RBI and an MLB-leading eight triples. He also started 23 games as a pitcher and had a 9-2 record with 156 strikeouts and a 3.18 ERA.
How Ohtani suffered the injury Sunday and the severity of the problem was not immediately clear. He walked in the first inning and grounded out on his next three plate appearances. In the ninth inning, Jack Mayfield pinch-hit for Ohtani and hit an RBI single to center field.
So far in 2022, Ohtani is batting .228 with four doubles, four home runs and four stolen bases. He’s started four games on the mound and has a 2-2 record with a 4.19 ERA.
The Angels led 6-0 in the ninth inning, but gave up five runs in the bottom of the ninth. With two outs and the bases loaded, White Sox right fielder Gavin Sheets grounded out and the Angels survived for a 6-5 win.
Los Angeles is now 15-8 on the year and leads the AL West by 2.5 games.
