Angels' Ohtani to undergo Tommy John

Los Angeles Angels two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani will undergo Tommy John surgery next week, the team announced Tuesday. Dr. Neal ElAttrache will perform the surgery in Los Angeles.

An MRI in early September revealed new damage to the ulnar collateral ligament in Ohtani's right elbow, and Tommy John surgery was subsequently recommended. Initially, Ohtani was undecided about whether he would undergo the surgery and focused on finishing out the season as the team's designated hitter.

Under a typical recovery timeline, Ohtani will not pitch at all in 2019 and can return to the mound for the 2020 season.

It remains to be seen if Ohtani can still serve as the team's DH while recovering from surgery. Manager Mike Scioscia said there are "too many variables" to know if the 24-year-old will be ready for Opening Day, according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic.

Scioscia also said Ohtani is fine with being used exclusively as a hitter for the time being.

"Ohtani's decision to have Tommy John surgery puts him out of pitching in 2019 and he's come to peace with it, and is going to focus on hitting," Scioscia said, according to Alex Curry of Fox Sports West.

The 24-year-old entered the season dealing with a UCL issue that reportedly stemmed from a previous tear of the ligament.

Despite the injury, Ohtani still went 4-2 with a 3.31 ERA and 10.97 K/9 over 51 2/3 innings this season as a pitcher, and is hitting .280/.361/.564 with 21 homers in 347 plate appearances, including a two-homer performance the day it was announced he suffered further damage to his UCL.