Shohei Ohtani Plans to Return to Pitching This Season

Segment Spotlight: Quick Hits From Game Time Decisions

Discussing Otani's Return to the Mound and MVP Considerations

It has been reported that Shohei Ohtani plans to return to pitching in the next couple of weeks, despite the Dodgers having a robust rotation. Some argue that there's no immediate need for Ohtani to rejoin the rotation with the postseason approaching. The Dodgers' current rotation includes recently acquired Tarik Skubal, a returning Tyler Glasnow, Blake Snell, and options like Jordan Yamamoto. This depth provides flexibility, potentially allowing Hansel Robles to serve in hybrid roles depending on other pitchers' performance.

The decision to have Ohtani pitch seems to be driven more by his personal desire rather than team necessity. From a strategic standpoint, the value of his pitching this season is debatable, especially considering it might detract from his performance as a hitter. The discussion also pivoted to Ohtani's MVP candidacy, weighing whether his dual role as a pitcher and hitter should influence his qualifications for the award. With the MVP race heating up, there’s speculation on whether Ohtani’s return to pitching could impact his odds, which currently stand at +150 for winning the award.

The conversation also touched on Pete Crow-Armstrong's impressive season, debating if his contributions could rival Ohtani’s unique dual-role performance. The debate continues on what constitutes an MVP-worthy season and whether Ohtani’s consistent, albeit not outstanding, contributions as both a pitcher and hitter warrant him the title every year. This discussion underscores the ongoing dialogue about the evolving criteria for MVP in Major League Baseball.