Shohei Ohtani, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ two-way star, has been putting up MVP-caliber numbers at the plate while rehabbing his elbow from a second UCL surgery as he navigates through an unprecedented balancing act. With his pitching career temporarily on hold following this surgery in September, the baseball world has been watching with bated breath as this generational talent continues to defy expectations.

But that setback hasn’t dulled Shotime’s competitive fire. He remains locked in on his throwing program and said he’s excited to be wearing out bullpens again soon, launching baseballs from 60 feet with throws often clocking in the 80s. His determination gives hope for a 2025 return to form on the mound.

As he continues to progress in his rehab, Ohtani has provided an update prior to Monday’s rainout against the New York Mets, revealing that his throwing program is going as well as it possibly could. “Usually anywhere from 60-70 [throws],” Ohtani said via translator Will Ireton when asked about his current workload. “Just continuing to increase the distance and the pitches, and just seeing where that goes. I’m not quite sure how far I’m gonna go out there, but that’s the progression.”

Shohei Ohtani’s indomitable spirit shines through as he embraces the challenge head-on despite the lengthy and arduous Tommy John surgery rehab journey. As he recently told reporters, “I think any starting pitcher can tell you that there’s a little bit of nervousness going into a game you start. In a sense, I do miss that kind of atmosphere. But right now I’m really just focusing on progressing every day, really focusing on that.”

This unwavering focus on daily progress has not only fueled his physical recovery, but it has also translated into his showing an astonishing offensive performance at the plate. Ohtani’s current batting line of .336/.403/.621, coupled with his 13 home runs, has propelled him to the top of the league in batting average, slugging percentage, OPS (1.024), OPS+ (188), and total bases (131).

His offensive prowess has not only solidified his position as one of baseball’s premier hitters but has also thrust him into the heart of the MVP conversation. Interestingly, Ohtani’s pursuit of the prestigious MVP award presents a unique historical context.

Dodgers’ resilience amidst challenges as Shohei Ohtani’s brilliance shines through

As of its establishment in 1973, no DH has ever won the MLB award, so this is a capital moment for Shotime if he can achieve it. The closest a DH has come since then was Yordan Alvarez, who finished third with a 6.8 fWAR and 37 home runs in 2022.

But Ohtani’s bid for the accolade is not without its challenges; one of his teammates, Mookie Betts, leads the league with impressive numbers himself. Betts, a former AL MVP himself, is tied for second in the league in fWAR and poses a formidable challenge to Ohtani’s MVP aspirations. Their head-to-head battle for the MVP could be one for the ages, reminiscent of past teammate rivalries.

This intra-team MVP battle adds another layer of intrigue to the Dodgers’ season, as both Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts strive for greatness while simultaneously elevating each other’s performance. This dynamic duo, with their exceptional talent and unwavering determination, has the potential to redefine the boundaries of what is possible in the modern game.

While the Dodgers have been facing recent struggles, losing their last five games for their longest losing streak since April 2019, their first-place standing in the NL West serves as a testament to the team’s depth and resilience. The looming question, however, is whether Shotime’s remarkable performance at the plate will be enough to propel him to MVP glory and etch his name in baseball history.

In the meantime, Shohei Ohtani’s focus remains on the present as he meticulously follows his rehab program while continuing to dominate at the plate. As the season progresses, the baseball world will be watching intently, eager to witness the next chapter in this extraordinary story of resilience, perseverance, and unwavering pursuit of excellence.