Shohei Ohtani is on target for his fourth MVP award.
But the Los Angeles’ Dodgers’ $700 million man is still being held back from true on-field greatness.
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Ohtani clubbed his MLB-leading 17th home run on Monday during the Dodgers’ 9-5 home loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks.
While Los Angeles dropped its fourth consecutive game and watched Philadelphia take over the best record in the National League, Ohtani moved one homer ahead of the Phillies’ Kyle Schwarber and two ahead of the New York Yankees’ Aaron Judge on the 2025 home-run leader list.
“I’m glad I can witness greatness in real time,” one fan tweeted. “Ohtani is legendary.”
Los Angeles’ leadoff man and designated hitter is batting .312 with 31 RBI, 51 runs, a career-high 1.078 OPS and 10 stolen bases.
After leading the Dodgers to the 2024 World Series trophy the season after signing a heavily deferred 10-year, $700 million deal, Ohtani is the betting favorite for the 2025 NL MVP and Los Angeles is already a near-lock for the playoffs.
But as incredible as Ohtani has been, he could be even better.
With all the home-run blasts and Babe Ruth-like statistics, it’s easy to forget that the 30-year-old from Japan isn’t even a complete player right now.
Ohtani hasn’t pitched in a game since August 23, 2023.
The hard-throwing right-hander is 38-19 on the mound with a 3.01 career ERA and 1.08 WHIP.
But he underwent Tommy John surgery in September 2023 while still being a member of the Los Angeles Angels.
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The Dodgers’ two-way star recently threw a 50-pitch bullpen session, completing another big step in his long-awaited return to the mound.
Ohtani must gradually work his way back to being able to carry a full workload as a pitcher, which includes throwing breaking balls and being able to balance his primary role as the Dodgers’ best hitter.
He also had shoulder surgery last offseason, after an injury that occurred during a stolen-base attempt in the 2024 World Series.
“The shoulder surgery is a complicated surgery compared to the elbow,” Ohtani said in February, through a translator.
“I had to work on the range of motion. There’s some residual effect in the labrum.”
The Dodgers have been careful in their handling of Ohtani as a pitcher, and they’ve yet to place a hard date on his mound return.
When it happens, the biggest name in baseball will be back to being a true two-way player again.
Ohtani is already heading toward his fourth MVP award — and he’s not even playing at his full potential.
“The best player in baseball,” a fan tweeted.
“Mr. Ohtani built different,” a second fan posted.
The Dodgers (29-19) turn to Yoshinobu Yamamoto on Tuesday as they host the Diamondbacks and attempt to snap a four-game losing streak.
