Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher/designated hitter Shohei Ohtani goes to the hill for Thursday's start versus the Seattle Mariners. The 29-year-old has his work cut out vs. the Mariners to mirror last Thursday's performance when he pitched a shutout and whacked two home runs over two games of a doubleheader. But Ohtani has dominated the M's lately, boasting a 1.80 ERA with 56 strikeouts across 43 innings against them since 2021. It's worth mentioning the two-way sensation is also slashing .262/.379/.563 with 13 home runs, 38 RBI, and seven stolen bases as a batter opposing Seattle since 2020. Fantasy managers are obviously setting and forgetting the AL MVP front runner on both sides of their season-long lineups where applicable.

Los Angeles Angels two-way player Shohei Ohtani went 1-for-2 at the plate, with two walks losing to the Blue Jays 6-1 Saturday. Ohtani reached base safely in three of his five trips to the plate. In his first at-bat, he was hit by a pitch in the foot but quickly bounced back to rip a leadoff double in the third frame. Additionally, the 29-year-old showed discipline while in the batter's box, drawing two base on balls during the game. The fantasy phenom has been dealing with some cramping problems recently, but it seems he has fully recovered.

Los Angeles Angels two-way player Shohei Ohtani "remains on track" to start on Thursday versus Seattle, according to Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com. The right-hander was dominant during his last mound appearance against the Detroit Tigers, logging nine innings and striking out eight hitters. Considering he's been bothered by cramps left many wondering if he'd be available for his next turn through the rotation. But barring a setback, Ohtani should be out there. Of course, things could change in the coming days. For now, fantasy managers are just glad he's back in the lineup for Saturday's clash with the Blue Jays.

Los Angeles Angels two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (legs) is back as the designated hitter and is batting second on Saturday against the Toronto Blue Jays and right-hander Alek Manoah. Ohtani left early on Friday night for the second day in a row due to cramping in both of his legs, but he's good to go again on Saturday in the two-hole. He needs to be in all starting fantasy lineups now that it's official he's playing. The 29-year-old Japanese slugger has seven home runs in 13 games since the All-Star break and leads major-league baseball with 39 long balls. Ohtani is also hitting an absurd .301/.396/.681 with a 1.077 OPS, 81 RBI, 12 stolen bases and 80 runs scored in his 386 at-bats this year.

Los Angeles Angels two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (legs) left the game early for the second straight day on Friday against the Toronto Blue Jays due to cramping in both of his legs. He will be re-evaluated on Saturday, according to manager Phil Nevin. While it's good news that Ohtani isn't dealing with a more serious injury, there's a good chance the Angels will take it easy on Ohtani and hold him out on Saturday for the second game of the series against Toronto. The 29-year-old left-handed slugger still managed to make noise with his bat before departing, going 2-for-4 with his major-league-leading 39th home run of the year, an RBI, run scored and a strikeout. Check back on Saturday to see if Ohtani is in the starting lineup.

Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani is serving as the designated hitter and is batting second against Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Kevin Gausman on Friday after leaving the second half of Thursday's doubleheader against the Detroit Tigers due to cramps. Ohtani threw a complete-game shutout on the mound in Game 1 and popped two home runs as a hitter in Game 2 before leaving, so it was a pretty incredible day all around. Fantasy managers will obviously want to have Ohtani the hitter back in their fantasy lineups for the start of a series against Toronto. The 29-year-old Japanese two-way star has been phenomenal with the bat this year, slashing .298/.395/.675 with a 1.070 OPS, a major-league-leading 38 bombs, 80 RBI, 12 stolen bases and 79 runs in 382 at-bats.

Los Angeles Angels manager Phil Nevin said that he expects two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani to return to the starting lineup as the designated hitter on Friday for the start of a series against the Toronto Blue Jays after he left the second game of Thursday's doubleheader against the Detroit Tigers due to cramping. The 29-year-old Japanese All-Star threw a complete-game shutout in Game 1 of the doubleheader against Detroit and then homered twice in Game 2 before leaving with cramps, so it was still a pretty amazing day for Ohtani despite dealing with cramping. The Angels took him off the trade market on Wednesday and then went out and acquired two pitchers from the White Sox, so they are fully invested in making a postseason push in order to try and convince Ohtani to re-sign in the offseason when he hits the free-agent market.

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher/designated hitter Shohei Ohtani was removed from Game 2 of Thursday's twin bill against the Detroit Tigers with cramping. It's a humid day at Comerica Park and the 29-year-old's departure feels like a precautionary one. Ohtani can take a bow after he first launched a one-hit shutout with eight strikeouts during Game 1. It was the first complete game of the superstar's career. Ohtani's encore performance saw him smash two long balls during Game 2 before exiting. The MVP front runner became the first player to homer in one part of a doubleheader and toss a shutout in the other, per Elias Sports Bureau. It's just another notch on the belt of Ohtani's unprecedented campaign. There's a good chance he is able to return to Friday's lineup for the start of a three-game set with the Toronto Blue Jays. Fantasy managers will have to check back ahead of the action for another update.

After fielding various trade offers for Los Angeles Angels two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani and holding internal discussions the last two days, the Angels decided on Wednesday to take Ohtani off the trade market and also become buyers in advance of the Aug. 1 trade deadline, according to a source familiar with the club's decision. The Angels entered play Wednesday four games out of a wild-card spot, so they are hoping they can make a push to return to the postseason for the first time since 2014. Ohtani is a free agent after the season and is expected to command a record contract that will make it difficult for the Angels to win a bidding war to retain him. Mike Trout and Ohtani have been teammates for six years. In that time, the team has gone 380-429 and have never finished higher than third place in the American League West. Ohtani currently leads the AL in homers (36), triples (seven), walks (62), slugging percentage (.668), OPS (1.066) and total bases (250).

Los Angeles Angels right-hander Shohei Ohtani had been scheduled to pitch on Friday against the Toronto Blue Jays, but he's been moved up to Game 1 of a doubleheader on Thursday against the Detroit Tigers after the game on Wednesday in Detroit was postponed. It's a very favorable switch for the 29-year-old two-way superstar. Ohtani has dealt with blister issues on his pitching hand in the last month, and he's allowed 15 runs (14 earned) on 18 hits (six homers) while walking eight and striking out 21 in 16 1/3 innings in his three starts in July. He's believed to be past the blister issue, though, and his start on Thursday against Detroit is much too good to pass up for fantasy purposes.

Los Angeles Angels pitcher/DH Shohei Ohtani is reportedly drawing trade interest from the Baltimore Orioles and Arizona Diamondbacks, according to MLB Networks's Jon Morosi. According to Morosi, both teams have recently inquired about Ohtani's availability in a potential trade, with the MLB reporter describing it as both teams doing their "due diligence" on the two-way star. Ohtani would fetch a massive return in a trade if the Angels decide that they will be sellers at the trade deadline. Stay tuned.

The Los Angeles Angels have communicated about two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani trade scenarios with other teams in recent days. Even with the Angels winning six of their last eight games, the possibility of an Ohtani trade before the Aug. 1 deadline remains real. Any potential trade of Ohtani would be massive, and that's probably an understatement. No specific teams have emerged in the Ohtani sweepstakes, but it's going to have to be a team with plenty of payroll to support him. The 29-year-old Japanese star has been bothered by a blister on his pitching hand in recent starts, but he's doing just fine at the plate and currently leads the league in triples (seven), home runs (36), walks (60), slugging percentage (.674), OPS (1.072) and total bases (250). Any team that potentially lands Ohtani will have to give up a major haul.

Los Angeles Angels two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani showed off his power during Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Ohtani tied the game at 1-1 with a 410-foot solo home run off right-hander Mitch Keller in the first inning. He also walked and scored on an RBI single by Taylor Ward in the fifth inning. The 29-year-old is now slashing .302/.398/.674 with 36 homers and 77 RBI this season. It'll be interesting to see what the Angels decide to do with Ohtani at the trade deadline.

Los Angeles Angels right-hander Shohei Ohtani (finger) will make his next start on Friday against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Ohtani has been dealing with a cracked fingernail on his pitching hand in his last couple of starts on the mound, but it hasn't kept him from serving as the team's designated hitter. He has allowed 10 runs (nine earned) on 12 hits (two homers) while walking seven and striking out 12 in 10 innings in his last two starts against the San Diego Padres and Houston Astros, so he hasn't been nearly as sharp while pitching through his nail issue. It's something to consider for his start on Friday, but the 29-year-old two-way superstar isn't expected to face any pitch-count restrictions, and the matchup against Pittsburgh is too good to ignore.

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher/designated hitter Shohei Ohtani will not be traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers if he does get traded this season, per MLB Network's Jon Heyman. Heyman said that this is due to Angels owner Arte Moreno's unwillingness to trade Ohtani to an in-state rival. However, he did say that the Dodgers and other west-coast teams have a "great chance" to sign Ohtani in free agency. The two-way star will be the biggest name discussed during the trade deadline whether he actually moves teams or not.

Los Angeles Angels two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani continued his stellar campaign versus the Houston Astros on Sunday. The Halos actually held the lead 7-3 in the eighth inning, but managed to give it up. Ohtani attempted to bring him back with a solo blast in the ninth inning to put them within one run. Sadly, it wouldn't be enough as the Angels would fall 9-8 on Sunday. Ohtani is now slashing .301/.386/.665 with 34 homers, 73 RBI and 11 stolen bases this season. It remains to be seen if the Angels are willing to move the superstar at the trade deadline.

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher/designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (finger) left his Friday start against the Houston Astros after developing a blister on his finger. However, according to Jeff Fletcher of the SoCal News Group, the team expects him to make his next start, scheduled for Friday against the Pittsburgh Pirates. That's great news for fantasy managers, as the superstar has been phenomenal on the mound, pitching to a 3.50 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, and 32.2% strikeout rate with a 7-5 record, but has dealt with blister issues his past three starts. If Ohtani happens to miss time as a pitcher, he'll still appear in the lineup as the designated hitter and won't need a trip to the injured list.

Los Angeles Angels right-hander Shohei Ohtani (finger) left his start early on Friday against the division-rival Houston Astros after being looked at by a trainer. It's the third straight start that he's left early due to blister issues on his pitching hand, even after manager Phil Nevin said before the game that it wouldn't be an issue anymore. Ohtani ultimately went five innings and allowed five runs (four earned) on five hits while walking three and striking out seven in a loss, his fifth of the year. The good news is the 29-year-old Japanese superstar stayed in to hit as the designated hitter, but there's a chance the Angels will have to skip his next start so that he can put his blister issue in the rearview mirror. Ohtani has now allowed nine earned runs in 10 innings in his last two starts.

Los Angeles Angels right-hander Shohei Ohtani (finger) threw a successful bullpen session on Thursday. Manager Phil Nevin said Ohtani's finger is fine. It's something to watch for the two-way superstar after he left his last two outings of the first half of the season due to a blister issue on his right middle finger. In his start on the Fourth of July against the San Diego Padres, he allowed five earned runs on seven hits with four walks and five strikeouts in five innings pitched. It's not the easiest matchup coming out of the break for Ohtani against the division-rival Houston Astros on Friday, but fantasy managers should feel comfortable keeping him in their starting lineups as a pitcher.

Los Angeles Angels two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani will become a free agent after the 2023 season, and he said on Monday that his desire to play on a winning club "gets stronger" with each passing year. If the season ended now, the Angels would miss the playoffs for the ninth straight year, including all six seasons since they signed Ohtani from Japan. The 29-year-old is expected to command a record contract if and when he hits the open market. The Angels could also decide to trade the 2021 American League MVP before the Aug. 1 deadline. Ohtani is doing things never seen before in the sport and currently leads the majors in home runs (32), triples (six) and slugging percentage (.663) while also hitting a career-high .302. As a pitcher, he has a 3.32 ERA and is averaging 11.8 strikeouts per nine innings.