Less than a week after receiving news that star slugger Mike Trout may be traded if he wants it, Los Angeles Angels fans are now bracing for All-Star pitcher Shohei Ohtani’s departure.
That rumor became closer to reality on Friday as Ohtani’s locker at Angel Stadium was seemingly cleared out, and it was confirmed on Saturday afternoon that he would miss the remainder of the season, which may mark the end of his Angels career.
Although he was at the stadium before the game, according to AP, the three-time MLB All-Star’s locker was “largely empty afterward.”
The Los Angeles Times reported that what remained in Ohtani’s locker included a bottle of cologne, some Angels merchandise and his Seattle All-Star Game duffle bag, which appeared to be packed.
“Even Ohtani’s water jug was in the garbage,” the L.A. Times said.
Ohtani, who is currently nursing an oblique muscle injury, missed his 11th consecutive game on Friday – an 11-2 loss to the Detroit Tigers.
After six seasons in Anaheim, he is set to be a free agent after the World Series.
