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Ohtani was lifted from Friday's 4-1 loss to the Blue Jays in the ninth inning after experiencing cramping in both of his calves, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports. He went 2-for-4 with a solo home run -- his 39th of the season -- before exiting.
Before exiting the second game of the Angels' doubleheader with the Tigers on Thursday due to cramping, Ohtani slugged home runs in his final two plate appearances of the day. After being cleared to serve as the Angels' designated hitter Friday, Ohtani took Kevin Gausman deep in the first inning to bring his streak to three consecutive plate appearances with a long ball. Ohtani couldn't finish the game, however, as he was pulled in favor of pinch hitter Michael Stefanic in the ninth even though the bases were loaded. Angels manager Phil Nevin said Ohtani will be re-evaluated Saturday, but the skipper noted that at this stage, he's "not even thinking" about the possibility of the two-way superstar going on the injured list, per the Associated Press. Even if Ohtani's re-evaluation reveals nothing concerning, it wouldn't be surprising if he received a day off Saturday after exiting early in each of the past two games. Nevin has already noted that Ohtani will make his next start as a pitcher this coming Thursday at home versus the Mariners, allowing the 29-year-old to get six days' rest rather than his usual five after he tossed a season-high 111 pitches in his one-hit shutout of the Tigers in Game 1 of this past Thursday's doubleheader.
