The backup quarterback is a tough job in the NFL. You have to be a good guy and ready to jump in if the starter goes down and even longer if need be. It can be tricky as too many teams make the mistake of putting their hopes on the main starter and not realizing they need a good backup until it’s too late. Notably is that so many times Parris Campbell Jersey , the backup takes over and ends up doing an even better job than anyone expected to the point that they become a much bigger star than the guy they were replacing. However, many other times, the backup shows why they’re the backup, not nearly as great on the field and the team suffers for it.It can be tricky as it’s well known how a guy great in college can falter in the pros and thus let his team down. But other cases can be a guy surprising by taking off better than anyone could have dreamed and becoming a starter themselves. Here are 8 backups who proved themselves top starters and 8 who couldn’t live up to that position to show how tricky it is in the NFL. The Los Angeles Angels activated two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani from the 10-day disabled list Tuesday and used him as the designated hitter in their game against the Seattle Mariners.
Ohtani and his injured right elbow are only cleared to hit for now, but Los Angeles said he will be re-evaluated as a pitcher in three weeks.
Ohtani received stem cell therapy and a platelet-rich plasma injection to help heal the Grade 2 sprain of his ulnar collateral ligament suffered more than three weeks ago. Ohtani was cleared for a hitting program Friday and took part in two simulated games against minor league pitchers over the weekend.
”We’re going to see how many looks we can give him as a (designated hitter) and hopefully he’ll give us a lift there,” Angels manager Mike Scioscia said.
Ohtani went 0 for 4 in Los Angeles’ 4-1 loss to the Mariners.
”He’s been cleared to swing and we will see how it all goes down,” Scioscia said. ”I check with my players all the time to make sure nothing is bothering them, but we don’t anticipate anything as far as him swinging the bat.”
Ohtani is hitting .280 with an .878 OPS and six homers in 118 at-bats in his rookie season. He batted sixth on Tuesday.
”I think it’s a good spot for him,” Scioscia said. ”When you’re talking about Mike (Trout), Albert (Pujols), Justin (Upton) and (Andrelton) Simmons Khari Willis Jersey , hitting sixth behind those guys will hopefully be a good spot for him to hit, but also just trying to get him acclimated. We don’t want him to say, `I have to do so much,’ if he’s hitting higher in the lineup.”
Scioscia emphasized that Ohtani was not being rushed back into the lineup.
”He would not be playing here tonight if he wasn’t cleared by our medical department,” Scioscia said. ”We were very comfortable that he was able to swing the bat.”
Right-handed pitcher Miguel Almonte was also called up and right-handed pitchers Deck McGuire and Eduardo Paredes were optioned to Triple-A in corresponding moves.