Angels push back Otani’s next outing as starting pitcher

TORONTO – The Los Angeles Angels are pushing back Shohei Otani’s next outing as a starting pitcher to manage the workload of the two-way rookie.

Angels manager Mike Scioscia made the announcement Thursday.

Otani is 4-1 with a 3.35 ERA in seven starts. He had been scheduled to pitch against fellow Japanese right-hander Masahiro Tanaka at Yankee Stadium on Sunday. Scioscia said Otani would be available to hit against Tanaka.

The Angels haven’t set a date for Otani’s next outing.

Otani last pitched May 20 against Tampa Bay, winning his second straight decision and giving up two runs and six hits in a season-high 7 2-3 innings. His 110 pitches were also a season-high.

Otani has started at designated hitter the past two games, hitting a game-tying two-run single in the ninth inning of Wednesday’s 5-4 win over the Blue Jays. He’s the DH again in Thursday’s afternoon finale.

In 26 games as a DH this season, Otani is batting .308 with six home runs and 19 RBIs.