GLENDALE, ARIZONA — Without a loud official announcement, Shohei Ohtani made it clear to MLB what was coming. At the Los Angeles Dodgers’ spring training, the Japanese superstar sent the strongest possible message: the campaign to conquer Cy Young 2026 has officially begun.

After years of dominance as the greatest two-way player of his generation, Ohtani is now aiming for the only missing piece in his legendary collection — the Cy Young title.

At 31, Ohtani has nothing left to prove about his talent. He has won four MVP titles in five years, multiple All-Star games, and consecutive World Series championships with the Dodgers.

But there is still one thing left undone.

Cy Young.

“He wants Cy Young,” catcher Dalton Rushing candidly revealed — a concise statement that perfectly reflects the superstar’s ambition.

It’s not just an individual title. For Ohtani, it’s the ultimate declaration to solidify his place in baseball history.

At Camelback Ranch headquarters, every detail points to Ohtani approaching the 2026 season in a completely different way.

He arrived earlier, focusing almost entirely on pitching mechanics, meticulously attending to even the smallest movements — something that has become Ohtani’s trademark.

More importantly, this is the first time in years he’s had an offseason uninterrupted by injury — a factor that had limited his pitching role in previous seasons.

The results began to show immediately.

In a recent spring training game, Ohtani pitched over 4 innings without scoring, with his fastball speed nearing 100 mph — a sign that he’s ready to return to his role as a top-level pitcher.

Within the Dodgers, confidence in Ohtani is at its absolute peak.

“There are no limits to him,” catcher Will Smith affirmed.

Baseball president Andrew Friedman even described Ohtani’s current state as “on a mission” — and history shows that whenever that happens, the result is usually iconic seasons.

After returning to pitching late last season and helping the Dodgers win a championship, Ohtani is now unconstrained by his role. 2026 is expected to be his first full-time two-way pitcher season since 2023.

That means: MLB is about to see the most complete version of Ohtani.

If Ohtani acquires Cy Young, he will achieve something almost no one in history has ever done:

to absolutely dominate both the hitter and pitcher roles.

He was a Cy Young contender when he was with the Angels, with an ERA of 2.33 and over 200 strikeouts in a single season. But injuries prevented him from reaching the end of that journey.

Now, in his best physical condition in years, the opportunity is open.

And not just an opportunity — it’s a goal.

For the Dodgers, Ohtani’s pursuit of Cy Young is more than just a personal story.

It’s part of an ambition to build a new baseball empire.

With a rotation already boasting many stars and having already acquired Cy Young, adding Ohtani’s complete pitching version could make the Dodgers a nearly unbeatable team.

If Ohtani reaches peak form on the mound, the Dodgers aren’t just championship contenders — they could become one of the greatest teams in MLB history.

“Health is the priority… but everyone knows what comes next.”

Interestingly, when asked directly, Ohtani maintained his usual calm demeanor.

He emphasized that the main goal was to stay healthy throughout the season — a prerequisite for any success.

But within the team, no one was mistaken.

Everyone understood that, if healthy… Cy Young was almost the inevitable destination.

Shohei Ohtani has changed the way the world views baseball.

But 2026 could be the season that completely defines his legacy.

It’s no longer a question of “is he the best player?” — that’s almost certainly answered.

Instead, it’s: can he become the greatest player in history?

Cy Young is the answer.

And at this year’s spring training, no grand slogans were needed—just 100 mph throws, hours-long practice sessions, and absolute focus…

Shohei Ohtani told the world:

The hunt for Cy Young has begun.