Shohei Ohtani has revealed a plan to return to pitching. That news, delivered without a timeline, could change how the Dodgers approach October and add a new twist to the MVP conversation.
What the plan means for the Dodgers
The Dodgers haven't said when Ohtani might take the mound, but the possibility alone forces a rethink. Right now, their rotation has depth, but adding a healthy Ohtani changes the math. He'd give the staff another high-leverage arm, someone who can dominate in a short series. That's the kind of boost that separates a good postseason run from a championship one.
Ohtani's role this season has been mostly as a designated hitter while he recovered from elbow surgery. The Dodgers knew they were getting a generational bat, but the pitching side was always the long-term bet. If he returns even for a limited stretch, it alters how the team lines up for the wild-card round and beyond. Opponents who game-planned against a one-dimensional lineup would suddenly have to prepare for a two-way threat.
There's also the workload question. The Dodgers have been careful with Ohtani all year, and any return to pitching would come with restrictions. But even a shortened outing—say, four or five innings—could be enough to change a series. The team's front office hasn't commented on specifics, but the plan is out there now. That alone adds a layer of uncertainty for every other contender in the National League.
MVP market dynamics shift
The MVP race was already tight. Ohtani's bat alone kept him in the conversation, but a return to pitching would make his case nearly impossible to ignore. Voters have historically rewarded two-way excellence, and Ohtani set the standard in previous seasons. If he's back on the mound, even for a handful of starts, his WAR and narrative value spike.
The timing matters too. A late-season return would put his pitching in front of voters right when they're filling out ballots. That kind of late impression can swing close races. Other candidates—whoever they are—now have to measure themselves against a guy who might be doing both at the highest level again.
Of course, there's risk. A failed comeback could hurt his performance at the plate, or worse, lead to another injury. But the announcement itself is a signal. Ohtani believes he can do it, and the Dodgers are apparently on board. That belief changes the landscape even before he throws a single pitch.
No official date has been set for Ohtani's return. The Dodgers will likely ramp him up slowly, with bullpen sessions and simulated games before any real action. The next step is watching how his arm responds to increased intensity. That process could take weeks, or it could accelerate quickly depending on how he feels.
For now, the plan is just that—a plan. But it's a plan that every team in the playoff picture has to respect. The Dodgers' postseason strategy just got more complicated, and the MVP race just got more interesting. The real test comes when Ohtani finally steps on that mound again, and nobody knows exactly when that will be.
