Report: MLB to investigate how Shohei Ohtani's medical records were leaked

Scott Gleeson, USA TODAY Sports Published 11:42 a.m. ET Dec. 14, 2017

SportsPulse: MLB insider Jorge Ortiz discusses the Los Angeles Angels pulling off the improbable by getting Shohei Ohtani and how it makes them instant contenders. USA TODAY Sports

Major League Baseball will investigate whether Shohei Ohtani’s medical information was leaked to the media by a team official, according to an ESPN report on Thursday.

Messages left by USA TODAY Sports to MLB were not immediately returned.

Ohtani, called the "Babe Ruth of Japan," is a 23-year-old right-handed pitcher and left-handed power hitter who announced last week that he would sign with the Los Angeles Angels.

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Earlier this week, Yahoo Sports reported that Ohtani has a sprained ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching elbow, a malady that likely won’t prevent him from pitching for the Angels in 2018.

“Shohei underwent a thorough physical with MRI scans to both his elbow and his shoulder," Angels general manager Billy Eppler said in a statement Tuesday. "Those are scans we conduct whenever we sign a pitcher. Based on the readings of those MRIs, there are not signs of acute trauma in the elbow. It looks consistent with players his age. We are pleased with the results of the physical and we are very happy to have the player.”

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Los Angeles Angels player Shohei Ohtani is flanked by security after a press conference. Jayne Kamin-Oncea, USA TODAY Sports

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Fans watch as Los Angeles Angels player Shohei Ohtani is introduced during a press conference today. Jayne Kamin-Oncea, USA TODAY Sports

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Shohei Ohtani, a dominant right-handed pitcher and outfielder, is considered the "Babe Ruth" of the Japanese League. Koji Sasahara, AP

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By Dec. 4, Shohei Ohtani had narrowed down his list to the Los Angeles Dodgers and Angels, the San Francisco Giants, San Diego Padres, Seattle Mariners, Rangers and Chicago Cubs, suggesting a preference for the West Coast. Masterpress, Getty Images

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Shohei Ohtani Ohtani had made it clear he wanted a chance to perform as both a pitcher and hitter in the majors. Kazuhiro Nogi, AFP/Getty Images

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2017: Shohei Ohtani was hampered by ankle and thigh injuries in 2017 but was named the MVP of Japan’s Pacific League in 2016 after going 10-4 with a 1.86 ERA while batting .322 with 22 homers and a 1.004 OPS. Shizuo Kambayashi, AP

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2017: Shohei Ohtani, 6-foot-4, 215 pounds, is capable of winning 20 games as a starting pitcher, hitting 30 home runs as an outfielder, and becoming MLB's greatest marketing tool since Bo Jackson. Koji Sasahara, AP

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2017: Shohei Ohtani announces he wants to play in the Majors in 2018. Koji Sasahara, AP

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2016: Shohei Ohtani helps lead Nippon Ham to the Japan Series title. Shizuo Kambayashi, AP

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2015: Shohei Ohtani was dominant in his performance against South Korea at the Premier12 world baseball tournament at Tokyo Dome. Toru Takahashi, AP

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2012: Shohei Ohtani, an 18-year-old attending Hanamaki Higashi High School, records the fastest pitch by a Japanese high school pitcher at 99 mph. JIJI PRESS, AFP/Getty Images

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