Shohei Ohtani marks his 32nd birthday on July 5. The Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter and pitcher continues to perform as a two way player in Major League Baseball.
Ohtani began his MLB career with the Los Angeles Angels in 2018. That year he won the American League Rookie of the Year award. Over nine seasons he has earned four Most Valuable Player awards, two in the American League and two in the National League. He has been selected to six All-Star Games. He has also received four Silver Slugger awards for his offensive production. With the Dodgers he contributed to back to back World Series championships in 2024 and 2025.
In the 2026 season Ohtani has posted strong numbers on both sides of the ball. As a hitter he carries a .288 batting average with 18 home runs and 50 runs batted in through roughly 309 at-bats. On the mound he holds an 8-2 record with a 1.79 earned run average and 95 strikeouts across 85.2 innings in 14 starts. These figures connect his individual output to the Dodgers position atop the National League West standings.
Ohtani’s career path links his time in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball league to his transition to MLB. His ability to hit and pitch at a high level in the same season sets him apart from most players. The move to the Dodgers after the 2023 season ties his earlier individual honors to team success in recent years.
Ohtani remains a central figure for the Dodgers as the team moves through the summer schedule. His dual contributions continue to shape discussions around player roles in modern baseball. The birthday arrives during a period of strong team and individual results.