
Angels' Ohtani selected as two-way All-Star for third straight year
Ten days after being named the American League's starting designated hitter for next week's All-Star Game, Los Angeles Angels sensation Shohei Ohtani was named to the AL's pitching staff.
Major League Baseball revealed all pitchers and reserves on Sunday for the July 11 game in Seattle, three days after starters were announced.
Ohtani was named an All-Star last week, however, as the league's top-vote getter.
This is the third year in a row Ohtani has been selected as a two-way starter for the All-Star Game.
He pitched and hit at the 2021 Midsummer Classic at Denver, though only hit at last year's game at Dodger Stadium.
The 28-year-old phenom from Japan entered play Sunday, ranking second in the AL in strikeouts (127) and eighth in ERA (3.02).
He also leads all of baseball in home runs (30), slugging percentage (.666) and OPS (1.057).
The Atlanta Braves lead MLB with eight players selected to the All-Star Game - the most by any team since the Texas Rangers in 2012 - after pitchers Spencer Strider and Bryce Elder, first baseman Matt Olson, second baseman Ozzie Albies and third baseman Austin Riley joined the club's previously named starters - outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr., shortstop Orlando Arcia and catcher Sean Murphy.
The Braves enter Sunday with the majors' best record at 55-27.
Final offensive numbers for the @Angels' Shohei Ohtani in June 2023:
— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) July 1, 2023
25 extra-base hits
21 walks
15 home runs
He's the first player in MLB history to have at least 25 extra-base hits, 20 walks and 15 home runs in a single month. pic.twitter.com/zQexqWlixn











