Ohtani becomes 1st Japanese-born player to hit for cycle in MLB

Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani hit for the cycle against the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday. He's the first Japanese-born player to accomplish the feat in MLB history, according to Stats By STATS.

The 24-year-old completed the cycle - just the 32nd time a non-U.S. born player has recorded the feat, according to the Angels - after hitting a single in the seventh inning off right-hander Hunter Wood.

Ohtani hit a three-run homer in the top of the first, a double in the top of the third, and his first triple of the season in the fifth before hitting the single.

The two-way star is the eighth Angels player to hit for the cycle and the first since Mike Trout in 2013, according to Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register.

Ohtani is the second player in 2019 to hit for the cycle after Minnesota Twins shortstop Jorge Polanco did it against the Philadelphia Phillies in April.

The reigning AL Rookie of the Year is the team's full-time DH this season while recovering from Tommy John surgery. However, Angels manager Brad Ausmus said before Thursday's game Ohtani is weeks away from throwing off a mound again.

In 2018, he accrued a 3.31 ERA across 51 2/3 innings (10 starts).