Los Angeles Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani will continue as designated hitter for the time being, the club said Thursday.
Ohtani, who will not pitch again this season after being diagnosed with a tear in his right ulnar collateral ligament, will be with the team in New York for a weekend series with the Mets.
Japanese compatriot and Mets right-hander Kodai Senga is scheduled to start Friday's game.
In Game 1 of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Cincinnati Reds at Angel Stadium, Ohtani hit his major league-leading 44th home run in the first inning but had to leave in the second after throwing his 26th pitch of the game.
Ohtani returned to the lineup to DH in Game 2 and went 1-for-5 with a double.
As a pitcher, he has a 10-5 record with a 3.14 ERA and 167 strikeouts over 132 innings in 23 starts this season.
