Shohei Ohtani’s Next Frontier: Can the Dodgers’ Two-Way Star Add a Cy Young to His Trophy Case in 2026?
Shohei Ohtani has already rewritten what’s possible in Major League Baseball. He’s a two-time MVP, a generational talent, and now, as he enters the 2026 season, there’s a new milestone in sight: the Cy Young Award.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts isn’t just optimistic-he’s confident. And when Roberts talks about Ohtani, it’s with the kind of reverence reserved for the rarest of athletes.
“There’s certainly a lot more in there,” Roberts said. “Regardless of my expectations for him, his are gonna exceed those.”
That’s the thing with Ohtani. The bar is already sky-high, and yet he keeps finding ways to raise it.
According to Roberts, the expectation from the man himself is to be in the Cy Young conversation. But as always, the focus starts with the basics: stay healthy, take the ball every fifth day, and let the numbers speak for themselves.
And those numbers? They’re already starting to tell a story.
Ohtani’s Return to the Mound
After undergoing Tommy John surgery, Ohtani made his long-awaited return to the mound in 2025, this time in Dodger blue. It was a cautious, methodical comeback-no shortcuts, no rush. But by the end of the regular season, he was back to pitching six innings per start, looking more and more like the ace we saw in his peak Angels years.
In total, Ohtani logged 47 innings over 14 appearances, posting a 2.87 ERA. For a pitcher coming off major elbow surgery, that’s more than solid-it’s a statement. It reminded everyone that when healthy, Ohtani isn’t just a novelty; he’s a legitimate frontline starter.
Chasing the Elusive Cy Young
For all of Ohtani’s accolades, the Cy Young remains the one major individual honor that’s eluded him. Since arriving in MLB in 2018, he’s dazzled on the mound and at the plate, but only once has he received Cy Young votes-back in 2022 with the Angels, when he finished fourth in the AL voting.
That season, he posted a 2.33 ERA across 28 starts, racking up 219 strikeouts in 166 innings. It was the kind of dominant campaign that would win the award in many years-but not that one. Still, it showed what Ohtani is capable of when he’s locked in and fully healthy.
Now, as he enters 2026 with a full offseason of pitching preparation under his belt, the runway is clear. The Dodgers aren’t easing him back anymore. If his arm holds up, Ohtani will be on a regular schedule, and the volume-innings, starts, strikeouts-should follow.
The Road Ahead: Stiff Competition in the NL
Of course, winning a Cy Young isn’t just about your own performance-it’s also about who you’re up against. And in the National League, the competition is fierce.
Paul Skenes, fresh off a dominant sophomore season that earned him the 2025 Cy Young, isn’t going anywhere. He’s a power arm with elite stuff and the numbers to back it up. Then there’s Ohtani’s own teammate, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who just delivered a World Series performance that had MVP written all over it.
That’s the kind of company Ohtani is keeping-and trying to surpass. But if there’s one thing we’ve learned about him, it’s that he doesn’t shy away from high expectations. He thrives on them.
Bigger Goals in L.A.
The Cy Young chase is just one part of the larger picture for Ohtani and the Dodgers. This is a team that’s already won back-to-back World Series titles, and they’re gunning for a third. Ohtani, now fully integrated into one of the most complete rosters in baseball, is a key part of that mission.
If he can stay healthy and pitch a full season, there’s no question he’ll be in the Cy Young mix. But for Ohtani, personal accolades have always taken a backseat to team success.
The scary part for the rest of the league? He might just get both.
So as the 2026 season approaches, keep an eye on Ohtani every fifth day. Because if his arm is right-and all signs point to yes-we may be watching one of the most unique players in baseball history add another line to an already unbelievable résumé.