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Major League Baseball is conducting an investigation into whether a team official leaked medical information pertaining to Japanese two-way star Shohei Ohtani, ESPN reported on Thursday. Sports Illustrated reported on Tuesday that Ohtani received a platelet-rich plasma injection for his right (pitching) elbow. Yahoo Sports published details from Ohtani's medical records later in the day, noting that he has a Grade 1 sprain of the ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching arm.
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Los Angeles Angels general manager Billy Eppler told reporters that Ohtani had a PRP injection in his pitching elbow and said that the team was pleased with the results of his physical. Eppler also said that documentation of Ohtani's medical history was circulated among teams interested in him.
Ohtani agreed to sign with the Angels, who won the 23-year-old's services over competition from the Chicago Cubs, Texas Rangers, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants and Seattle Mariners.
Ohtani was put up for bid by the Pacific League's Hippon Ham Fighters for the maximum $20 million posting fee. He had until Dec. 22 to agree to a major league deal.
The Angels had $2.315 million of international bonus pool money to spend toward Ohtani's offer.
Ohtani, who throws right-handed and bats left-handed, plans to be both a pitcher and an outfielder with the Angels. He went 42-15 with a 2.52 ERA in five seasons as a pitcher in Japan, and batted .286 with 48 homers and a .500 slugging percentage.
