PCA Leads NL MVP Mock; Ohtani Plans Return

Pete Crow-Armstrong has overtaken Shohei Ohtani for the NL MVP front-runner in ESPN’s AXE system, signaling a two-horse race as Crow-Armstrong leads with a wide margin over Ohtani. ESPN notes PCA’s blend of offensive production, base running, and elite center-field defense, along with leading fielding metrics, has him well positioned to win even if Ohtani returns to pitching. Ohtani remains a dominant offensive force, but his inability to pitch due to a knee issue has muted his overall value this season. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has outlined a cautious path to Ohtani’s return, including bullpen work and potential mound appearances, with the possibility of returning to the rotation later this season. Several reports confirm Ohtani could be back in limited action soon, initially for a few innings as the team eases him back into pitching. The debate over the NL MVP race has intensified as PCA’s all-around value climbs, while Ohtani’s two-way resume still keeps him in the mix for a late push.