One of the more remarkable days of Shohei Ohtani’s accomplished career ended amid concern Thursday when the two-way star was removed from the second game of a doubleheader against the Detroit Tigers after clutching at his lower back.
The Angels officially announced that Ohtani was removed because of cramping on the warm day at Detroit.
Ohtani departed the second game after hitting a pair of home runs. He grabbed his side after the second of those homers, his major league-leading 38th of the season, and went to the clubhouse for treatment afterward.
Michael Stefanic pinch-hit for Ohtani, the designated hitter, in the seventh inning.
Ohtani tossed the first complete game shutout of his career in the Angels’ 6-0 victory in the doubleheader opener. He allowed only one hit and struck out eight batters.
Ohtani, 29, is batting .298 with a 1.070 OPS in 101 games this season and has a major league leading 38 home runs. He is widely believed to be the favorite for the American League MVP award after earning the honor for the first time in 2021.