Dodgers' Ohtani, Muncy, and Pages Secure Key Award Nominations Amidst Challenging Season

Shohei Ohtani's run as the National League's Most Valuable Player has paused after a challenging 2026 campaign marked by injuries and a late-season slump. Despite entering the year fresh off four consecutive MVP titles, Ohtani's right biceps and left knee issues limited his performance, sidelining him for time in September and concluding his season prematurely. These setbacks diminished his chances for a fifth MVP, a title that now appears out of reach as of the awards announcements beginning this week. (primary, publication-date)

Ohtani still delivered a strong season, hitting 30 home runs and maintaining a solid on-base and slugging performance with an .889 OPS, alongside a 1.79 earned run average over 14 starts pitching. Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman noted that through mid-August, Ohtani was still widely regarded as the MVP frontrunner, underscoring the impact injuries had on his late-season performance. (primary)

While the MVP is likely off the table, Ohtani remains a finalist for other prestigious awards. He is in the running for the Edgar Martinez Outstanding Designated Hitter Award, a trophy he has won for the last five seasons, though Yordan Alvarez of the Astros is considered a strong challenger this year. Additionally, Ohtani is a finalist for the All-MLB Teams, having earned this honor multiple times both as a designated hitter and a starting pitcher. (primary)

The Dodgers also boast two finalists for the Gold Glove Award, with center fielder Andy Pages and third baseman Max Muncy recognized for their defensive contributions. Pages led Major League Baseball with 14 outfield assists, showcasing his arm strength and fielding acumen. However, he faces stiff competition from Cubs' Pete Crow-Armstrong, the anticipated NL MVP and a standout defender. Muncy showed defensive improvements, though he is not rated as a plus defender by advanced metrics. (primary)

Looking ahead, the Dodgers have several key dates to watch in the awards calendar, including announcements for BBWAA awards, Silver Slugger winners, and new honors like the Reliever of the Year Award, for which closer Tanner Scott could receive consideration after leading the team with 25 saves. The team's strong showing in nominations across offensive, defensive, and pitching categories reflects a roster with depth despite individual challenges this season. (primary)

Manager Dave Roberts, who guided the Dodgers to their sixth 100-win regular season, will likely not be a serious contender for Manager of the Year, as such performance is often expected from the franchise. Meanwhile, pitchers like Yoshinobu Yamamoto remain in the mix for top pitching honors, though the Cy Young Award seems destined for Milwaukee's Jacob Misiorowski. These developments mark a nuanced awards season for the Dodgers, where individual excellence is recognized even as team expectations remain sky-high. (primary)