Shohei Ohtani is not looking to compromise his health for the sake of winning the Cy Young Award.
This was underscored by the news that he won’t be starting as a pitcher on Friday, nor will he participate in the upcoming All-Star Game.
The Dodgers are likely relieved since Ohtani will be taking time off to treat his inflamed left knee.
He has emphasized that his primary goal is to be at his best when the postseason arrives, and his recent decisions reflect that commitment.
Ohtani pitched in a bullpen session on Wednesday and was fit enough to continue as the designated hitter against the Arizona Diamondbacks two days later. This indicates he could have made that last start if he had chosen to do so.
Ohtani’s actions speak louder than words—a player like him often needs to be judged on what he does, and he’s clearly putting team goals ahead of personal accolades.
His sights are firmly set on the World Series.
“He’s consistently stated that October is his focus,” said manager Dave Roberts. “Achieving Cy Young is something on his mind, which makes sense, but nothing takes precedence over being healthy for October.”
Reflecting on his past, this choice isn’t all that surprising.
Let’s consider 2023, his last season with the Angels, which was when he last started a game. Prior to the All-Star break that year, he had made 17 starts—three more than he’d have this season.
During an early August game against the Seattle Mariners, Ohtani was removed after just four innings due to discomfort in his pitching hand, specifically a spasm in his middle finger.
Post-game, then-general manager Perry Minassian mentioned that Ohtani was asked about getting an MRI, but he opted against it and carried on. Just two games later, he ended up bruising his elbow, which led to Tommy John surgery the following month.
Despite outside perceptions, Ohtani’s insistence on continuing to pitch benefitted the team. Just days before facing the Mariners, the Angels were trailing the Texas Rangers by four and a half games for first place.
It might have seemed selfish to keep pitching, especially as a free agency was on the horizon two months away.
Yet, Ohtani understood that the Angels’ chances of reaching the playoffs were slim without him, showing he was willing to risk his own financial future for the team’s prospects.
Now with the Dodgers, though, Ohtani can afford to prioritize his health over chasing major awards.
He has a 1.79 ERA, but his bid for the National League Cy Young Award is muddled by the limited number of innings he has pitched.
Having thrown 85 2/3 innings, he hasn’t met the threshold for ERA title qualification. Missing even a single start could jeopardize his aspirations for the Cy Young.
In comparison, Jacob Misiorowski from the Milwaukee Brewers logged 111 innings, Christopher Sanchez from the Philadelphia Phillies pitched 120 1/3 innings, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto from the Dodgers threw 104 2/3 innings.
But Roberts mentioned that Ohtani’s decision to sit out on Friday wasn’t surprising.
Part of this choice is linked to the Dodgers’ comfortable position; entering Friday, they had a 14-and-a-half game lead over both the Arizona Diamondbacks and the San Diego Padres in the National League West.
With 61 wins, they held the best record in the majors, allowing them home-field advantage through the postseason. The top two teams in each league secure a first-round bye; the Atlanta Braves, sitting third in the National League, had seven fewer wins than the Dodgers.
With the Dodgers, Ohtani doesn’t carry as much pressure as he did with the Angels. He feels at ease stepping back to ensure his knee is ready for the intense part of the season.
Plans are in place to drain fluid from his knee, which has been an issue for about a month. He is also set to receive pain relief injections.
Roberts conveyed that the treatment is precautionary.
“If we had a chance to be aggressive and handle it with some rest before the All-Star break, we would do just that,” Roberts stated.
Looking ahead, he added that Ohtani’s role as a pitcher won’t be affected after the All-Star break. The Dodgers are set to resume with a series against the New York Yankees on July 17th.
“I’m not sure how we’ll utilize him,” Roberts remarked, hinting that Ohtani may make his next start during the three-game series in Philadelphia starting July 20.
Regardless of the outcome, Ohtani’s intentions are unmistakable.
His priority is to win another World Series, outweighing his pursuit of individual honors.
