NEW YORK — If Shohei Ohtani has a second Tommy John surgery, it’s possible his recovery might be more difficult than the first – but that is not a given.

“My first one, my rehab was pretty tough and I never felt 100%,” Chicago Cubs pitcher Jameson Taillon said. “People would come up to me and ask me, ‘Hey, dude, what should I expect after getting Tommy John?’ I’d be like: To never feel good ever again.

“My second one was just like a new arm.”

Ohtani tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow while pitching against Cincinnati on Aug. 26. The unprecedented two-way star is continuing to bat as a designated hitter but won’t pitch again this year while considering his medical options.

Now 29, Ohtani had Tommy John surgery on Oct. 1, 2018, performed by Los Angeles Dodgers head team physician Neal ElAttrache. He returned to the Angels as a batter the following May 7 and to the mound on July 26, 2020, in a season delayed by the pandemic. He didn’t retire a batter in his return, got just five outs on Aug. 2 and left with a strained forearm that kept him from pitching until 2021.

Since then, he’s gone 34-16 with a 2.84 ERA in 74 starts.

Combine that with his offense the last three seasons – a .278 average, 124 homers, 290 RBI and 56 stolen bases entering Friday mostly as a designated hitter – and expectations before the injury were that the 2021 AL MVP could command a record $500 million-plus contract as a free agent this offseason.

If Ohtani has the surgery, he wouldn’t pitch again until 2025 at the earliest. Recovery time for most pitchers ranges from 12 to 18 months, though positions players have returned quicker. Philadelphia’s Bryce Harper was back as a designated hitter in May, just 160 days after the operation.

The UCL connects the humerus bone to ulna bone at the elbow. Doctors prefer to replace the torn ligament with an almaris longus tendon from the forearm. If that isn’t available, a gracilus tendon removed from the knee is the No. 2 choice.

A second surgery often is more complicated than a first, with recovery time impacted by scar tissues and bone spurs. Pitchers often can resume throwing in week 17 following their first Tommy John. New York Mets medical director Dr. David Altchek said after a second TJ surgery, throwing might be delayed until week 21 or even 41.

“What I’ve seen is a big re-tear rate,” said Altchek, who twice operated on Taillon and estimates he has performed 1,800 Tommy John surgeries since 1993.

“We think that some of the training methods may have something to do with it: The weighted balls. I’m not against weighted balls. Weighted balls do definitely increase velocity, but they put a lot more pressure on the ligament. If I get to decide what my patients do, I don’t want them to even go near throwing a weighted ball with any velocity for like a year and a half to two years after the surgery.”

Angels General Manager Perry Minasian hasn’t detailed the extent of the tear and said Ohtani and his agents were consulting medical experts.

REDS: Cincinnati left-hander Brandon Williamson tested positive for COVID-19 and will miss his scheduled start on Sunday. He is the fourth Reds pitcher to test positive this week, further jeopardizing the team’s postseason chances.

Starter Hunter Greene was placed on the COVID-19 injured list following his 4-1 win at San Francisco on Aug. 30. Right-handed relievers Fernando Cruz and Ben Lively were placed on the list between games of Friday’s doubleheader against the Cubs.

TIGERS: Detroit Tigers outfielder Riley Greene on the injured list with right elbow inflammation before their game against the White Sox in Chicago and recalled infielder/outfielder Tyler Nevin from Triple-A Indianapolis to take the spot on the roster.

SATURDAY’S GAMES

MARLINS 11, NATIONALS 5: Jake Burger hit two of Miami’s four home runs, Johnny Cueto struck out four in his return from a viral infection and the Marlins won in Washington to extend its winning streak to three and keep pace in the NL wild-card race.