Shohei Otani hurt his left ankle (os trigonum) as he stepped on first base during Game Four of the Nippon Series. He aggravated it in the same way during an international exhibition game against Mexico in November. After multiple tests as hospitals, he was diagnosed with pain due to an os trigonum. The tightness he was feeling in his hamstrings were likely due to overcompensation.

Surgery is not necessary at this stage, but if the pain persists or increases, it may become an option.

The Nippon Ham Fighters have not yet determined whether Otani is healthy enough to participate in the World Baseball Classic as a hitter. Likewise, Samurai Japan has not yet decided whether or not to replace him. It might not make sense to keep him on the roster if he can only be used as a pinch-hitter, since it also means they lose an arm (they originally picked him as a pitcher). Softbank’s Shota Takeda’s name has been dropped as a possible candidate to replace Otani.

Source: Sponichi 2/2/2017, Sponichi 2/2/2/2017, Sponichi 2/2/2017, Sponichi 2/2/2017, Sports Hochi 2/2/2017, ZakZak 2/2/2017, Nikkan Sports 2/2/2017, Nikkan Sports 2/2/2017