After joining the Dodgers prior to the 2024 season, Ohtani spent the entire year solely as a designated hitter. He returned to the mound in 2025, but didn’t work his way up to full appearances until the end of the season. Prior said he’s excited to see what Ohtani can do with a full year on the sidewalk.
“Last year was of course a very unique year,” Prior said about Dodgers Territory. “He came off Tommy John and then had a shoulder injury to the non-throwing arm. A full version this year.”
How did Shohei Ohtani pitch in 2025?
The MVP made his first pitching appearance in nearly two years against the San Diego Padres on June 16, throwing a single inning in his return. He struggled through the inning, allowing a run on two singles, but was able to get out of it.
His appearances only got longer and more impressive, working his way up to six innings by the end of the year and getting his ERA down to 3.87.
He made four starts in the postseason for the Dodgers, with the best of the bunch coming against the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 4 of the NLCS. Ohtani struck out ten batters in six scoreless innings and earned himself NLCS MVP, thanks in large part to his impressive performance in the final game of the series.
Can Ohtani win his first Cy Young Award in 2026?
The two-time superstar has flirted with the Cy Young award in the past and finished fourth in the American League in 2022.
He had a 2.33 ERA through 28 appearances in his final full season on the mound.
If Ohtani can put up similar numbers to that season in 2026, he has a fighting chance, but his competition in the National League is stiff. Paul Skenes looked unstoppable in 2025, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto has taken a huge step forward since arriving in LA
But when push comes to shove, the superstar is likely more focused on winning his third straight World Series championship
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