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Dodgers Steer Shohei Ohtani Toward Pitching-First Role as Cy Young Buzz Builds

The shift points to a full-season workload on the mound following a league-best start to 2026.

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May 5, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani (17) looks on after delivering a pitch in the first inning against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images
Oct 18, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (17) hits his third solo home run of the game during the seventh inning in game five of the NLCS in the 2025 MLB playoffs against the Milwaukee Brewers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Overview

  • Ohtani’s usage plan, which ESPN’s Jeff Passan outlined Thursday, calls for him to prioritize starting pitching for the rest of the season.
  • Through six starts he has a 0.97 ERA over 37 innings with 42 strikeouts, a 0.81 WHIP, and opponents hitting .160.
  • MLB.com ranked him No. 1 among starting pitchers, and he earned April’s Pitcher of the Month award.
  • The Dodgers have at times started him as a pitcher only to manage his two-way load, and his current hitting line sits at .248/.389/.442.
  • Analysts label him a leading Cy Young contender, though some caution that innings limits and rivals such as Paul Skenes could complicate the race, with his cooler bat also shaping MVP talk.