Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani Expands Pitching Workload Amid Home Run Surge

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani is steadily building up his pitching workload after recovering from his second Tommy John surgery, with plans to stretch his outings to four innings in upcoming starts. Manager Dave Roberts described this season as a rehab and maintenance year for Ohtani's pitching, utilizing a six-man rotation to manage his workload cautiously without pushing him deep into games. While on the mound, Ohtani has been effective, boasting a 1.50 ERA and 1.00 WHIP over 12 innings, and at the plate, he remains a formidable hitter, ranking second in MLB with 38 home runs despite a high strikeout rate. Recently, Ohtani homered in six of his last seven games, showcasing his elite offensive production and maintaining a strong OPS and slugging percentage. His continued excellence at the plate, combined with his progress as a pitcher, positions him as a frontrunner in the 2025 National League MVP race, reinforcing his status as one of the most talented players in Major League Baseball. If he sustains this level of performance, Ohtani is poised to achieve back-to-back MVP honors.