Los Angeles Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani had surgery on his right elbow Tuesday and is not expected to pitch in 2024.

Ohtani tore his ulnar collateral ligament on Aug. 23. He kept batting for the Angels until suffering an oblique strain Sept. 3.

Neither Ohtani nor the Angels said whether Ohtani’s procedure, performed by famed Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles, was Tommy John surgery.

“The ultimate plan, after deliberation with Shohei, was to repair the issue at hand and to reinforce the healthy ligament in place while adding viable tissue for the longevity of the elbow,” ElAttrache said in a statement released by the Angels.

“I expect full recovery and he’ll be ready to hit without any restrictions come opening day of 2024 and do both (hit and pitch) come 2025.”

The surgery could shift the equation for Ohtani’s pending free agency. Ohtani’s contract expires after the 2023 season, and he was expected to command a record-breaking salary as a home run-hitting batter and talented pitcher entering his prime.

Ohtani’s agent, Nez Balelo, said in a statement that the final decision was made with an eye toward “the big picture.”

Ohtani also released his own statement in an Instagram post.

“I had a procedure done on my elbow earlier this morning and everything went very well,” Ohtani wrote. “Thank you very much for everyone’s prayers and kind words. It was very unfortunate that I couldn’t finish out the year on the field, but I will be rooting on the boys until the end.

“I will work as hard as I can and do my best to come back on the diamond stronger than ever.”

Ohtani, 29, batted a career-best .304 this season with 44 home runs and 91 walks — both of which still lead the American League as of Tuesday. His .654 slugging percentage and 1.066 on-base-plus-slugging percentage lead the major leagues.

On the mound, Ohtani went 10-5 with a 3.14 ERA and recorded 167 strikeouts over 132 innings.

–Field Level Media