Japanese Ohtani will miss the rest of the season due to a left knee injury

Shohei Ohtani will miss the rest of the season with the Los Angeles Angels, in order to undergo surgery on the left kneecap.

The Angels announced the decision on Thursday. Los Angeles (67-80) has no chance of advancing to the playoffs, when 15 duels remain from the regular season.

The Japanese will require eight to 12 weeks to recover from the operation by a bipartite kneecap. That anomaly implies that the knee bone is divided into two segments, explained the Angels, who did not specify the reason for not having addressed that problem before.

Ohtani ends his second season in the majors with an average of .286, 18 homers and 62 RBIs during 106 games, as a designated hitter.

The Rookie of the Year of the American League in 2018 did not fulfill this season pitcher work. The previous year, he underwent Tommy John's surgery.

He is expected to help as a pitcher and hitter in 2020.