Los Angeles Angels star Shohei Ohtani hasn’t pitched since August 23, and hasn’t appeared in a game since September 3.
His absence from the mound stems from a torn UCL in his right elbow, an injury that might eventually require Tommy John surgery.
He hasn’t played as a hitter since earlier this month due to an oblique strain.
Between the two injuries and the fact the Angels aren’t in the postseason race anymore, Ohtani has been shut down for the remainder of the year.
He will try to get healthy and ready for free agency, and all eyes are on his potential future team.
For now, all we have to discuss is whether Ohtani did enough to win the AL MVP award without playing the last month of the season.
The answer to that is yes, and the odds are in his favor.
Who ya got? ?⬇️ pic.twitter.com/VeoODaEtlU
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) September 18, 2023
Per MLB on FOX, Ohtani has -20000 odds of taking home his second MVP award after the one he won in 2021.
You could make the case that Corey Seager has been a slightly better hitter and is a bona fide candidate, but he has zero innings pitched.
Ohtani has 132, and a 3.14 ERA at that.
He also struck out 167 hitters from the mound.
As a hitter, Ohtani was also magnificent with a .304/.412/.654 lilne with 44 home runs, 20 stolen bases, and a 1.066 OPS.
Despite not playing since early September, Ohtani has eight more home runs than the second-ranked player in the American League, Luis Robert Jr.
That’s how dominant he was a hitter this year.
When we add up his contributions as a pitcher, hitter, and baserunner, there is no competition: Ohtani is the clear favorite to win his second MVP.
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