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Ohtani will not pitch in 2019 after undergoing Tommy John surgery in October, but he could be back to hit a couple of months in.

Shohei Ohtani injury update: Angels 'thinking' AL ROY could return in May

The Angels are staying optimistic about Shohei Ohtani's return date.

While the American League Rookie of the Year will not pitch in 2019 after undergoing Tommy John surgery in October, Los Angeles is hoping he could return to the batting lineup a couple of months into the season.

“I’m not going to put a date on it, but we’re thinking sometime in May," Angels manager Brad Ausmus told reporters Tuesday, via the Orange County Register.

Brad Ausmus, on Ohtani’s return: “I’m not going to put a date on it, but we’re thinking sometime in May.” #Angels
— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) February 12, 2019

Ohtani stole lots of headlines last season because his fastball can run up to 102 mph, but he more than held his own at the plate posting a .285/.361/.564 slash line with 22 home runs and 61 RBIs in 326 at-bats.

In games Ohtani was in the lineup in 2018, the Angels scored 4.71 runs per game. In outings when he was on the bench, they scored 3.98. The Angels went 52-52 when he was in the lineup and 28-30 in all others.

Ohtani is not expected to pitch again until the 2020 season. He went 4-2 with a 3.31 ERA with 63 strikeouts in 51 2/3 innings pitched.

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