Shohei Ohtani dealt devastating blow: Did he just lose millions?

The Los Angeles Angels can’t have nice things — and now it’s possible the rest of MLB’s chances at it will be delayed, too.

Two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, the team announced Wednesday night. Ohtani left his start after 1 1/3 innings on Wednesday.

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“We did imaging between games and he does have a tear, and he won’t pitch the rest of the year,” general manager Perry Minasian told reporters. “We’re going to get a second opinion and go from there. It’s basically day to day. Obviously, he hit. But that’s where we’re at.”

It’s an injury blow that could have major ramifications on the money Ohtani receives when he hits free agency this offseason. The American League MVP favorite was widely expected to receive the largest contract in MLB history, potentially from Steve Cohen and the New York Mets, who are in need of front-line pitching and middle-of-the-order help. One MLB official predicted at least $600 million, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Ohtani needed Tommy John surgery the last time he had the injury in 2018, making him a hitter only in 2019. A second surgery could entail a longer recovery time and a lower success rate. It would likely mean he doesn’t pitch in 2024, at least.

“I would never put any limitations on players in general, and especially him,” Minasian said. “He’s shown it’s possible to do it and excel at it. I expect him to bounce back and do what he needs to do to get back to where he was.”

Ohtani slotted in at designated hitter for the second game of a doubleheader Wednesday, but the Angels aren’t sure if he will continue that moving forward. According to MLB.com, Ohtani suffered a torn UCL on Sept. 2 and hit until Tommy John surgery on Oct. 1.

Ohtani has a .304/.405/.664 slash line with 44 home runs, 91 RBI and 17 steals — good for a 183 OPS+. As a pitcher, he has posted a 3.14 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 10-5 record in 23 starts. He has pitched 132 innings with 167 strikeouts. His 9.6 WAR (Baseball Reference) puts him more than three wins ahead of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Mookie Betts at No. 2.

Star Angels outfielder Mike Trout was also placed on the 10-day injured list after just returning from it. He has played 237 games over the past three seasons.

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Jimmy Hascup may be reached at jhascup@njadvancemedia.com.