Angels use body double to stand in for Shohei Ohtani in team picture

Tuesday was team picture day for the Los Angeles Angels, but their biggest star was not in attendance.

Shohei Ohtani, who's now dealing with oblique soreness that kept him out of Monday's game, was unavailable for the team photo, but his No. 17 was still on the field for the proceedings. In his stead, the Angels turned to a body double, someone "very tall in the front office, name not to be discussed" per Bally Sports West.

Angels reporters Sam Blum and Sarah Valenzuela posted photos and videos of the stand-in, and said the man who was to hold the 6-foot-4, 210-pound Ohtani's physical space in the photo left the field through an outfield exit.

“Shohei will be in the photo when you see it,” Angels manager Phil Nevin said with a smile.

Ah, the magic of Photoshop.

FOLLOW THE MONEY: MLB player salaries and payrolls for every major league team

Ohtani, a pending free agent, has been serving as a hitter only due to a torn UCL that ended his season as a pitcher last month. His agent said he will be having "some type of procedure" on his elbow with the plan being to return to two-way play in the future.

Contributing: Associated Press