Shohei Ohtani's 2019 debut will most likely come on the Los Angeles Angels' upcoming road trip.
The team expects to activate the reigning AL Rookie of the Year before they return to Anaheim on May 17th, manager Brad Ausmus told Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times.
The Angels will play a two-game series in Monterrey, Mexico, against the Houston Astros starting on Saturday, and then play nine games on the road versus the Detroit Tigers, Baltimore Orioles, and Minnesota Twins. Ohtani, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery, has already been ruled out to play in Mexico, according to Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com.
"It is disappointing, but it is what it is," Ohtani said through interpreter Ippei Mizuhara. "I have to wait it out and be ready when they call my name."
Tuesday against the Tigers is the earliest the 24-year-old could return, as the team wants him to get roughly 40 plate appearances in simulated games before he takes over as the club’s regular designated hitter, Bollinger notes.
"Personally, I feel like I'm ready to go as of right now," Ohtani said. "I'm feeling great. Now it's all up to people above me. Once they give me the go sign, I'll be ready to go."
Ohtani will only hit this season as the two-way star won't pitch again until 2020. He slashed .285/.361/.564 with 22 home runs in 104 games for the Angels in 2018.
