The Los Angeles Angels Friday night failed to provide an explanation for why Shohei Ohtani’s locker at Angel Stadium has been largely emptied.
The two-way superstar missed Friday’s game against the Detroit Tigers, which the Angels defeated 11-2, for the 11th time in a row due to a strained oblique muscle. Although Ohtani attended the game before it began, his locker was largely vacant when it was over.
Nearly all of his belongings had been taken from his locker and the vacant spot next to it. Instead of his shoes, a fully packed bag bearing the logo of the 2023 All-Star Game was placed in front of his stall. Only a few workout clothes were strung on the rack.
An Angels spokeswoman stated the team will provide further information on the situation on Saturday, over a half-hour after reporters were let into the locker room and noted the absence of Ohtani’s belongings.
After six seasons with the Angels, Ohtani will become a free agent this winter. His future has been the subject of frequent conjecture, which grew more intense when Los Angeles was eliminated from the playoff race in August. Since Ohtani has kept quiet about his future, the conversation regarding his long-term goals has also changed as a result of his most recent injuries.
He has already been sidelined as a pitcher this season due to a torn elbow ligament, but the Angels had hoped he could come back as a hitter after straining his oblique in hitting practice last week.
While Corey Seager of Texas may be gaining ground with voters, Shohei Ohtani remains the favorite to win his second AL MVP Award in three years. Ohtani, who finished the year 10-5 with a 3.14 ERA, currently trails Seager in the majors with a 1.066 OPS and leads the AL with 44 home runs.