SEATTLE - Shohei Ohtani hit a home run Thursday in his first at-bat since being diagnosed with a right forearm injury, helping spark the Los Angeles Angels to a 6-1 win over the Seattle Mariners.
The two-way star, who will not pitch for the rest of the season, opened the scoring in the top of the second at T-Mobile Park with a solo blast to opposite field.
His third homer in seven games this season backed a complete game for right-hander Dylan Bundy, who struck out 10 and did not issue a walk while limiting Seattle to four hits.
Batting cleanup as designated hitter, the 26-year-old Ohtani connected on Taijuan Walker's 1-0 curveball for a deep fly to left that just cleared the wall.
An MRI exam Sunday revealed a grade 1-2 strain of the flexor pronator mass in Ohtani's right forearm following his second start of the year against the Houston Astros, but the injury does not affect his powerful left-handed swing.
"I'll tell you what I saw today -- the best swing out of him that I've seen in person," Angels manager Joe Maddon said. "He was very focused, very convicted in what he was doing. Those were the most forceful swings I've seen him take all year."
Ohtani also drew a walk as part of a three-run fourth inning, eventually scoring from third on a Max Stassi sacrifice fly.
The 2018 American League Rookie of the Year struggled with control in his return to major league pitching this season after a nearly two-year absence from the mound following Tommy John surgery.
Despite the health issues limiting his throwing, Ohtani said he wanted to continue his career as a two-way player and aimed to be back pitching from the start of next season.
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