Ohtani Finished 2026 Season Without MVP Bid
The Dodgers star concluded his campaign after injuries hindered his second-half performance and availability.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Baseball
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Shohei Ohtani finished the 2026 Major League Baseball regular season without an MVP award as injuries limited his impact. The Los Angeles Dodgers nonetheless secured the National League West division title with a 100-62 record.
Why it matters
Ohtani experienced a decline in his second-half production that prevented him from maintaining the elite status required for an MVP bid. His inability to stay on the field hindered the dual-threat output that has historically defined his candidacy.
Ohtani recorded a .275 batting average with 81 RBIs and 89 runs scored across 139 games. On the mound, he finished with 8 wins, 2 losses, and a 1.79 ERA over 14 starts and 85 2/3 innings.
The players
Shohei Ohtani
Shohei Ohtani is a Japanese professional baseball player known for his rare ability to excel as both a pitcher and a hitter.
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a prominent Major League Baseball franchise based in California that competes in the National League West.
The details
Ohtani served as the leadoff designated hitter in the final game of the regular season at Oracle Park, where he recorded one hit in three at-bats. While he maintained strong pitching efficiency with a 1.79 ERA, the volume of his play was significantly curtailed by persistent health issues.
Timeline
Ohtani completed his ninth Major League season in 2026.
Ohtani played in the regular season finale on September 28, 2026.
Season Trajectory
This finish marks a notable deviation from the standard of excellence established by the 2023 American League MVP award won by Shohei Ohtani. The dip in availability directly impacts his historical standing as a consistent dual-threat MVP contender.
Fantasy managers will need to adjust their projections for Ohtani due to the durability concerns highlighted by his second-half injuries. The Dodgers' 100-win season confirms their position as a top seed entering the post-season bracket.
The takeaway
Reliability remains a critical component of the MVP voting criteria alongside raw statistical output. Players and teams must balance high-intensity usage with the physical demands of a full 162-game schedule.
Further reading
For more on the current state of professional play, visit our Baseball section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by 조선일보.
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