Shohei Ohtani has thrown his last pitch of the 2021 season.
The Angels' two-way star will not make another pitching start this year, manager Joe Maddon announced Wednesday, with Ohtani set to serve only as the team's designated hitter over the final five games.
Maddon said the decision was mutual between Ohtani and the team.
"Just talking with him, he just felt as though it's the right time to shut it down right now," Maddon said, adding: "He finished with two really strong outings, and there's really nothing to gain right now. It's probably the best thing to have him not pitch. But again, this was a conversation with him."
Ohtani, 27, finishes the season with a 9-2 record and 3.18 ERA in 23 starts. In 130 1/3 innings, he struck out 156 batters and had a WHIP of 1.09.
And he did it all after making only three pitching starts in the 2 1/2 previous seasons because of arm injuries.
"There's really nothing left to prove on the mound," Maddon said. "He's exceeded expectations on the mound this year."
