Los Angeles Angels superstar two-way player Shohei Ohtani will be on double-duty for the 2021 MLB All-Star Game when he will not only take the mound, but also step into the batters box, according to Angels manager Joe Maddon.
Maddon said that he has spoken with American League manager Kevin Cash to encourage that Ohtani show off his two-way skills in the game on July 13th at Coors Field, saying that Ohtani wants to take on the tasks.
“The conclusion is that he will pitch, but how it’s going to happen has not been concluded,” Maddon said (h/t ESPN). “There’s different ways to do it, obviously. He could start the game or come in game-in-progress.”
Ohtani, 27, could start off as the designated hitter before moving to the mound later in the game.
“How often do you hit him?” Maddon asked. “And don’t forget, he’ll be in the Home Run Derby the day before. There’s a lot going on there. But Shohei is into it. It’s not like we’re trying to push him into doing anything. We’re just trying to figure out the best way to do it.”
