The Los Angeles Angels have scratched two-way star Shohei Ohtani from his next pitching start against the Oakland Athletics due to arm soreness.

It's possible Ohtani won't pitch again this season, Angels manager Joe Maddon said Thursday.

Ohtani, 27, had been penciled in to start Friday's weekend lid-lifter against the A's. But Maddon said Ohtani emerged with a sore arm after playing catch Wednesday.

"It's just soreness, I think it is, from a long year," Maddon said. "That'd be my guess, but there's been no plans on him seeing any kind of a doctor."

Maddon said the team has not officially discussed shutting down the MVP candidate yet.

"Actually, I did bring it up, but that'll be something that we'll talk about as he starts to feel better, and then we'll take it from there," Maddon said. "I don't even know the next day he's scheduled to play catch. ... If he feels great, I see nothing wrong with (him pitching again), but if there's any kind of lingering soreness, you may see him not pitch. I just don't know that answer yet."

The Angels (71-74) have 16 remaining games after Thursday.

Ohtani is 9-2 with a 3.36 ERA in 21 starts, the most he's made by far since joining the Angels. He started 10 in his rookie campaign of 2018.

He's pitched 115 1/3 innings this season, compared to 51 2/3 in 2018. Ohtani pitched just 1 2/3 innings in 2020.

Ohtani had a slash line of .254/.356/.599 with 44 home runs and 94 RBIs entering Thursday.

Ohtani's spot in the lineup is as designated hitter, having made just 13 appearances in the outfield this season.

--Field Level Media