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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Shohei Ohtani expected to make next start for Angels despite blister

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani, right, of Japan, and Andrelton Simmons, left, listen to catcher Martin Maldonado during the second inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday. Ohtani left after two innings with a blister on his middle finger. (Jae C. Hong / AP)
Associated Press

ANAHEIM, Calif. – Shohei Ohtani is expected to make his next start for the Los Angeles Angels after the Japanese two-way sensation was limited to two innings in his third career start Tuesday because of a blister on the middle finger of his right hand.

Ohtani gave up three earned runs and four hits in a 10-1 loss to Boston, suffering his first loss after winning his first two major league starts.

“We’ll monitor all the way through this week and just see where he is,” Angels manager Mike Scioscia said Wednesday. “It’s something he has had before and he’s managed and he’s not very concerned with it, but we will definitely, obviously, pay a lot of attention to it this week.”

Scioscia said the blister would not keep Ohtani from being available to hit against the Red Sox on Thursday, but his possible inclusion as the designated hitter would depend entirely on lineup considerations. Ohtani is batting .367 with three home runs and 11 RBIs in eight games.