Angels' two-way player Shohei Ohtani cleared to begin throwing program

The historical ramifications of Shohei Ohtani’s two-way rookie season will now reach beyond the box score as he attempts to resume his pitching career.

The right-hander remains several weeks away from pitching in a game. But as Ohtani gets deeper into his comeback, the Angels will have to figure out how best to ready him as a pitcher while keeping his bat available.

“We just need to do what’s best for the player,” Eppler said. “If it lends itself to making starts here, great. If it takes longer, it takes longer.”

Scioscia said the Angels anticipate that Ohtani will pitch for them again this season “if everything with his rehab goes as planned.”