For Dodgers Shohei Ohtani, World Series a greater priority than Cy Young Award

Shohei Ohtani won’t destroy his body to pursue a Cy Young Award.That was the major takeaway from the news that Ohtani wouldn’t make his scheduled start as a pitcher on Friday or play in the All-Star Game next week.Ohtani will receive treatment on his irritated left knee, and the Dodgers can now exhale in relief.The two-way player previously said his main objective was to enter the postseason in optimal condition, his actions proving that really was the case.Ohtani was healthy enough to throw a bullpen session on Wednesday and remain the Dodgers’ designated hitter in the series opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks two days later, which indicates he could have forced himself to make his final start before the All-Star break if he wanted.Someone as mysterious as Ohtani can only be judged by his actions, and what his actions showed was that he was prioritizing his team’s ambitions over individual glory.His eyes remained set on the World Series.“He’s always said the goal is October,” manager Dave Roberts said.“He’s had the Cy Young in mind, and understandably so, but nothing is gonna come in front of being healthy for October.”In retrospect, this wasn’t a surprise.Think back to 2023, his final year with the Angels.

Before this season, that was the last one in which he pitched from the start.By the All-Star break, he’d made 17 starts, which is three more than he has this year. In an early-August start against the Seattle Mariners that season, Ohtani was removed after pitching only four innings because of an unfamiliar sensation in his pitching hand: His middle finger cramped.California's top news, sports and entertainment delivered to your inbox every day.

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Never miss a story Following that start, Ohtani was asked if he wanted to undergo a MRI examination, then-Angels general manager Perry Mi...