Shohei Ohtani is redefining MLB roster construction in 2026. His dual-threat dominance grants the Dodgers a unique 14-pitcher advantage. The superstar is currently posting a career-best 0.82 ERA while maintaining elite power at the plate.

Shohei Ohtani first stepped onto a Major League field on March 29, 2018, with the Angels after they won his rights through the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) posting system and paid a $20 million posting fee to his former team, the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters.

Ohtani had 290 regular-season home runs, the third-most in all of baseball since his arrival. At the same time, his career 2.79 earned run average stands as the second-best mark among starting pitchers, per Sports on DIRECTV.

They shared the news on X, posting, "Since his MLB debut in 2018, Ohtani has dominated both sides of the game."

In his first six seasons, Ohtani has a .274 batting average with 681 hits, 171 home runs in 701 games with the Angels. On the mound, Ohtani was 38-19 in 86 games with a 3.01 ERA. In 2019, a Tommy John Surgery on his right ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) forced him to play only as a DH.

In December 2023, Shohei Ohtani signed a 10-year, $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Due to his recovery from his second elbow surgery, Ohtani was unable to throw a single pitch during the 2024 season.

Despite that, he became the NL MVP after becoming the sole member of the '50–50 club,' with 54 home runs and 59 stolen bases. He helped the Dodgers win a World Series title that year.

In 2025, Ohtani returned to the mound once again, but in limited appearances. He made 14 starts with a 2.87 ERA and 1.04 WHIP while striking out 62 batters.

At the plate, he hit .282 with 55 home runs and 20 stolen bases. He once again helped the team win the World Series and became the NL MVP back-to-back.

And this season, Shohei Ohtani is once again performing at his best, especially on the mound. He has a 5–2 record with a 0.82 ERA and 0.82 WHIP while striking out 62 batters so far in 55 innings.

At the plate, Ohtani has a .289 batting average with 10 home runs for the season.

Why Shohei Ohtani is more valuable than his production

When the Dodgers faced a bullpen crisis in late 2025, there were speculations that the Dodgers might put Ohtani in the outfield on days they want him to eat some innings in relief.

This season, because Shohei Ohtani qualifies as a true two-way player(pitched at least 20 innings and started at least 20 games as a position player or DH), the Dodgers can carry an extra pitcher.

In general, any team can add a maximum of 13 pitchers from Opening Day to their active 26-man rosters. But because of Shohei Ohtani, the Dodgers have an advantage in keeping 14 pitchers(including Ohtani).

Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell recently showed some frustration about this rule, saying, "One team gets different rules for that player." Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts responded.

"The thing is it certainly benefits us because we have the player... We’re more than willing for other teams to go out and find a player who can do both. He’s an exception because he’s an exceptional player. It is what it is," he said.

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Written by

Md Saife Fida

Edited by

Sagnik Bagchi