Shohei Ohtani spoke about the Los Angeles Dodgers recent stretch of losses, noting that although the team had gone through a difficult run, scoring in the eighth inning offered a more positive note. He explained that avoiding a lopsided finish mattered given the next series and an upcoming off day, calling that distinction meaningful for the team's momentum going forward.
Asked about his swing, Ohtani said his timing has been improving, describing recent contact as low-trajectory batted balls that might have left the park in a different ballpark but still reflected a solid, controlled reaction to pitches in good locations. He characterized the at-bats as encouraging signs even without a clean home run result.
On the subject of the MVP conversation, Ohtani acknowledged the strong season being put together by a fellow competitor, praising the performance as excellent, though he said his own priority remains staying focused on his individual process. He added that while his attention right now is mostly on hitting, he continues working daily toward returning to form on the pitching side.
Regarding the MVP race specifically, Ohtani said it is not something worth dwelling on at this stage, pointing out that statistics naturally rise and fall over time and that perceived advantages shift accordingly. He said the more immediate priority is simply winning a game as soon as possible to halt the team's negative momentum.
On his pitching rehab, Ohtani said his catch play continues to progress gradually, moving from lighter throwing drills toward eventual long toss and bullpen sessions, though he could not say how long each stage would take. He emphasized preferring steady, careful progress over rushing the timeline, and he also touched on watching Tarik Skubal pitch, saying it has been valuable to observe his work closely and that he hopes to continue supporting the rotation moving forward.