ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Los Angeles Angels star Shohei Ohtani had elbow surgery Tuesday, and his doctor said he expects the two-way star will be available as a hitter on opening day next season and will return to the mound as a pitcher in 2025. Ohtani tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow on Aug. 23, ending his pitching season. He said in a statement that the sides decided to “reinforce the healthy ligament in place," suggesting the UCL wasn't reconstructed via Tommy John surgery. ElAttrache also performed Tommy John surgery on Ohtani on Oct. 1, 2018. Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper returned this season as a designated hitter 160 days after having Tommy John surgery.

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Persons: Shohei Ohtani, Ohtani, Neal ElAttrache, Jobe, Tommy John, ElAttrache, “, Balelo, ” Balelo, “ Shohei, Shohei, ” Ohtani, Bryce Harper, ___ Organizations: Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, UCL, Angels, Philadelphia Phillies Locations: PETERSBURG, Fla, Sinai, Los Angeles, Ohtani