Shohei Ohtani back in the Angels’ lineup despite cramping

TORONTO — Phil Nevin found himself in an unusual situation Saturday, explaining why he continues to put the best player in the majors in his lineup.

Although Shohei Ohtani felt cramping that caused him to come out of games Thursday and Friday, the Angels manager penciled him in to the lineup at designated hitter Saturday.

“Believe me, we wouldn’t put him out there if we thought there was any risk,” Nevin said.

Nevin said that Ohtani was checked by doctors and they assured him that the cramps were just temporary, and Ohtani insisted he was fine.

“Everyone’s talking about an off day, but we had one Monday,” Nevin said. “We had one Wednesday because of the rainout. He’s well rested. It’s just a matter of getting fluids in his body. We got him checked out. Obviously, we do that with all our doctors and make sure everything’s good. And he came in today and he feels he feels great.”

Nevin said he would have overruled Ohtani’s desire to play “if there was any hesitation in his voice.”

Ohtani was in the starting lineup for the 102nd time Saturday. It was the Angels’ 105th game.

“He wants to play every day,” Nevin said. “And he wants to play every day because he knows we’re a better team with him in the lineup. He understands what’s in front of us. He wants to win. He wants to be out there, but I know he’s smart with his stuff. He would let me know if he felt like something is going to affect him. The Iron Man’s out there today. He’s ready to go.”

NEVIN SUSPENDED

Nevin was issued a one-game suspension, which he was to serve Saturday, after his confrontation with umpires following Friday’s loss.

Nevin had to be restrained from the umpires as they left the field after the game. Nevin was angry at plate umpire Mike Estabrook after a called third strike on a 3-and-2 pitch to Michael Stefanic with the bases loaded in the ninth inning.

News of Nevin’s suspension was released after Nevin had spoken to reporters before the game. Unlike players, managers can not appeal suspensions.

NETO SITS AGAIN

Shortstop Zach Neto was not in the lineup again because of his stiff back. He is expected to also miss Sunday’s game.

Neto said he’s still hoping he can avoid the injured list.

“I don’t think we’ll get there, but I’m just taking it day by day right now,” he said. “Just playing off however I wake up every morning and hopefully it goes away.”

Neto said he feels it more when he is swinging than when he is playing defense.

“It’s just how my swing goes,” he said. “It’s a pretty violent movement. I’m trying to hit a home run every time I go up to bat. That’s just how my swing is. I try not to over-rotate, but that’s just how it is.”

ROTATION CHANGE

Left-hander Patrick Sandoval will start Tuesday in Atlanta, which will be on four days’ rest from his previous start. It will be the first time since 2021 that an Angels pitcher started two consecutive games, with just four days’ rest in between.

For most of the time that the Angels have had Ohtani in the rotation, they have had their starters pitch with at least five days’ rest, instead of the traditional four used by other teams. Sandoval previously started on four days’ rest in 2019, when he first reached the big leagues. He said earlier this year that he’d be OK doing it if he was asked.

The need for him to do it this time arose because of the rainout Wednesday.

Lucas Giolito, who was used on normal rest with the Chicago White Sox, will start Wednesday on four days’ rest.

Nevin said they aren’t abandoning the six-man rotation, but the Angels will be more open to doing it down the stretch this season.

“Sandy jumped at the opportunity,” Nevin said. “He’s excited for it.”

Griffin Canning will start the first game of the series Monday. Ohtani will pitch Thursday at the start of the homestand against the Seattle Mariners.

MATT CHAPMAN AFTERMATH

Television cameras caught Blue Jays third baseman Matt Chapman arguing with Toronto manager John Schneider on Friday night. Ohtani had just hit his major league-leading 39th homer, and Chapman was apparently angry that the Blue Jays pitched to him in the first inning.

Chapman told Schneider that Ohtani is “the only (bleeping) guy on that team who can hit.”

Nevin, who knows Chapman because they are both products of Cal State Fullerton, approached him before Saturday’s game and tried to pretend he was angry, but he couldn’t.

“I started laughing,” Nevin said. “Things that happen in other dugouts I’m not concerned with. There’s dialogue in our dugout that if it was overheard I’m sure the other team wouldn’t like either sometimes.”

Nevin said Angels players were aware of what Chapman said.

“However they want to use it, that’s fine,” Nevin said.

NOTES

Infielder Brandon Drury (shoulder inflammation) is scheduled to play for Triple-A Salt Lake on Tuesday and Wednesday, and he could be activated Thursday for the start of the homestand. Drury has been taking batting practice off the high velocity machine for a couple days in Toronto. …

Right-hander Chris Devenski (hamstring) is going to face hitters this weekend. “He feels great,” Nevin said. “Hopefully all goes well there.”