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Shohei Ohtani Wonât Win Cy Young, Says MLB Insider
TL;DR
Shohei Ohtani has started strong this season with the Dodgers, but MLB insider Jeff Passan believes he won't win the NL Cy Young award due to insufficient innings pitched.
Key points
- Shohei Ohtani is off to a strong start with the Dodgers.
- He has pitched 24 innings and allowed only two runs this season.
- Ohtani has 25 strikeouts in four starts.
- He does not qualify for Cy Young due to insufficient innings.
- The Dodgers' six-man rotation limits his pitching opportunities.
Shohei OhtaniLos Angeles DodgersNL Cy Young
Apr 8, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani (17) reacts after a pitch against the Toronto Blue Jays during the second inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar is off to a blistering start on the mound, but ESPNâs Jeff Passan doesnât think itâs enough to challenge for the NL Cy Young award this season.
Ohtani has made four starts this season, pitching a total of 24 innings. Only two runs have crossed the plate under his watch this season, one of which went down as unearned, and he has 25 strikeouts during that stretch.
The right-hander currently doesnât qualify for category leadership due to a lack of inningsâ24 innings pitched in 28 gamesâbut would lead the National League in ERA and rank second in MLB in the same stat. He doesnât have enough innings to qualify due to the Dodgersâ unorthodox six-man rotation, and Passan believes that will be his downfall.
âThird behind Skenes and Chase Burns,â Passan said of where Ohtani would place in the NL Cy Young race. âBecause he will not throw nearly as many innings as pitchers in five-man rotations, Ohtani is always operating from behind when it comes to winning pitching-only awards. Unless his peripherals are so overwhelmingly better than everyone elseâs in the NL, innings pitched should be rewarded for their rarity, and thatâs a category in which Ohtani will struggle.â
Q&A
Why won't Shohei Ohtani win the Cy Young award this season?
Ohtani won't win the Cy Young award because he doesn't have enough innings pitched to qualify, as he has only thrown 24 innings this season.
How many strikeouts does Shohei Ohtani have this season?
Shohei Ohtani has recorded 25 strikeouts in his four starts this season.
What is Shohei Ohtani's ERA this season?
Ohtani currently has an ERA that would lead the National League, but he lacks the innings to officially qualify for the leaderboard.
What is the reason for Ohtani's limited innings pitched?
Ohtani's limited innings are due to the Dodgers' use of an unorthodox six-man rotation.
