Angels' Scioscia isn't concerned about Ohtani's UCL sprain

The Los Angeles Angels' prized offseason acquisition, Shohei Ohtani, is dealing with a UCL sprain in his pitching elbow, but the team isn't hitting the panic button.

Manager Mike Scioscia said Wednesday that the team expects Ohtani to be fine by the time spring training is underway, according to ESPN's Jerry Crasnick.

"The understanding we have is that it's something that's behind him," Scioscia said. "There's no concern. There are no restrictions. He'll be full go in spring training."

General manager Billy Eppler likewise isn't concerned about Ohtani's health entering his debut season in MLB. He explained how platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections, like the one Ohtani received in October, are common, according to Pedro Moura of the Los Angeles Times.

"It is not out of the ordinary for a player to get PRP at the end of the season," Eppler said.

The Angels intend to use Ohtani as both a hitter and a starting pitcher in 2018.