Shohei Ohtani's Cy Young Hopes Shattered by MLB Analyst's Verdict

Shohei Ohtani's Cy Young Hopes Shattered by MLB Analyst's Verdict

Shohei Ohtani's chances of winning his first career Cy Young Award have been dealt a significant blow, according to senior MLB analyst Ken Rosenthal. The Dodgers' ace has been shut down from pitching due to a knee injury, which has forced the team to reevaluate his role in the rotation.

What Happened?

On July 3, Ohtani received a lubricant injection in his left knee after his last start, but the situation did not improve. Manager Dave Roberts announced that Ohtani will not be day-to-day for pitching, but will remain in the batting lineup as the designated hitter.

Why It Matters for Shohei Ohtani

Ohtani's injury has significant implications for his Cy Young chances. With only 14 starts under his belt this season, he has an 8-2 record and a 1.79 ERA. However, without the opportunity to pitch regularly, his chances of winning the award are slim.

What Comes Next?

The Dodgers have begun a three-game series against the Phillies, but Ohtani's return to the starting rotation is uncertain. Roberts stated that Ohtani will need to play catch again before being considered for a return to the mound. The team is hoping to get Ohtani back to full health as soon as possible, but for now, his Cy Young hopes seem to be slipping away.

In a recent appearance on the Foul Territory channel, Rosenthal echoed the sentiment that Ohtani's Cy Young chances are essentially gone. "What is also interesting about this physical setback for Ohtani, it's hard to call it an injury, although I guess it is that, are the implications for both the Cy Young and MVP races," Rosenthal said.

Ohtani's injury has also raised questions about the team's decision to pitch him in a six-man rotation. "He simply doesn't have the innings," Rosenthal added. "And frankly, he wasn't necessarily going to have the innings, even if he had stayed healthy."

The Dodgers have been trying to manage Ohtani's workload all season, but it seems that his injury has finally caught up with him. As the team looks to the future, it's clear that Ohtani's Cy Young hopes are no longer a realistic goal.

What Did Dave Roberts Say About Shohei Ohtani's Pitching Timeline?

Initially, Roberts reflected on the lubricant injection Ohtani received in his left knee, stating that it was administered solely because the situation was not improving. He also noted that everything the team was trying with Ohtani was simply to prevent him from aggravating his injury.

Roberts stated that the team expected Ohtani to return to the starting rotation as early as next week. "All that stuff is trying to give us the best chance to be out of the woods entirely… I don't know. He's got to play catch again, and then we'll see," Roberts said.

The Dodgers have a long way to go before they can consider Ohtani's return to the mound. For now, his Cy Young hopes seem to be slipping away, and it's unclear when he will be back to full health.

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