Ohtani in lineup vs. Mets after tearing UCL

Los Angeles Angels superstar Shohei Ohtani is in the lineup and batting second as the designated hitter for Friday's game against the New York Mets.

Ohtani was diagnosed Wednesday with a tear in his right UCL. The 29-year-old exited his start in the first game of a doubleheader against the Cincinnati Reds after throwing 26 pitches. He appeared in the second game of that doubleheader as the designated hitter.

The injury didn't appear to hamper Ohtani, as he ripped a double with an exit velocity of 115.4 mph off Mets right-hander Kodai Senga in the third inning of Friday's game.

The Angels announced Thursday that Ohtani won't pitch another game this season, though it's yet to be determined if he needs surgery to repair his UCL.

Angels general manager Perry Minasian said Friday that although Ohtani dealt with cramping and arm fatigue at various points this season, the team didn't take any imaging on his arm until this past week, according to Newsday's Laura Albanese.

Ohtani underwent Tommy John surgery in September 2018. He missed the entire 2019 campaign as a pitcher but returned in May of that year to resume his duties as the Angels' designated hitter.

Despite the injury, the two-way star is the overwhelming favorite to claim his second AL MVP. Ohtani finished runner-up to New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge for the award last year after taking home the hardware in 2021.

Ohtani is scheduled to reach free agency at the conclusion of the season. He leads baseball with 44 home runs and is second to only Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts among position players in fWAR (6.3).