Angels’ Shohei Ohtani to have surgery on kneecap, miss rest of year

shohei_ohtani_drops_his_bat_as_he_hits_a_solo_home_run

Los Angeles Angels' Shohei Ohtani, right, of Japan, drops his bat as he hits a solo home run as Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Austin Barnes watches during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Sunday, July 8, 2018, in Anaheim, Calif. (Mark J. Terrill/AP)

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Shohei Ohtani will miss the rest of the Los Angeles Angels‘ season to have surgery on his left kneecap.

The Angels announced the decision Thursday. Los Angeles (67-80) has been eliminated from playoff contention with 15 games left.

Ohtani will need eight to 12 weeks to recover from surgery on a bipartite patella, or a two-part kneecap, according to the Angels. The team didn’t specify the reason for addressing the condition now.

Ohtani finishes his second major league season batting .286 with 18 homers and 62 RBIs in 106 games as the Angels’ designated hitter.

The 2018 AL Rookie of the Year didn’t pitch this season after undergoing Tommy John surgery last year. He is expected to pitch and hit in 2020.

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