Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani has continued to redefine what is possible in baseball. Now in his third season in Los Angeles, this marks his first full-time season working as both designated hitter and starting pitcher, and he has somehow surpassed expectations.
Across 12 starts, the 31-year-old Japanese superstar has struck out 78 hitters over 73 2/3 innings while posting a 1.47 ERA along with a 7-2 record. He remains a contender for the National League Cy Young award, although it will be a tough race this year.
What he likely will win is his third straight NL MVP award because of how incredible he has been at the plate. Across 68 games, he has posted a .296 batting average, .418 on-base percentage, .962 OPS, 15 home runs and 42 RBIs.
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Ohtani missed Friday's series opener against the Baltimore Orioles due to the birth of his second child with his wife, Mamiko Tanaka.
The couple shared photos of their child on Instagram on Saturday morning. The Dodgers had revealed this was the reason for his absence a day earlier.
Just one day after the birth of his child, the Dodgers announced he had returned to the starting lineup. Ohtani will play Saturday, slotting right back into the starting nine at designated hitter.
When the Dodgers decided not to place Ohtani on the paternity list, it was clear the club did not expect him to take much time away from the team to be with his family. Sure enough, he is right back in there as the Dodgers look to extend their winning streak to five games on Saturday.
