Just days after Los Angeles manager Joe Maddon indicated Shohei Ohtani might not pitch again this season because of a sore right arm, the Angels' two-way sensation not only took the mound Sunday but matched a season high with 10 strikeouts in a 3-2 loss to the Oakland Athletics.
Ohtani had been penciled in to pitch Friday against Oakland in the opener of Los Angeles' final homestand, but that start was pushed back while the team debated whether to shut him down on the mound. His sore arm apparently felt much better in a bullpen session Friday, during which he threw about 30 pitches, and the Angels decided to hand Ohtani the ball Sunday as they finish out another non-playoff season.