Shohei Ohtani was named National League MVP on Thursday, capturing all 30 first-place votes from the Baseball Writers' Association of America in the wake of another dynamic offensive season that included a successful return to pitching and was once again capped by a championship.

The Los Angeles Dodgers need to add more talent to their bullpen after it was a major weak point down the stretch.

Dodgers executive Stan Kasten said Ohtani considered adding a second batting cage inside Dodger Stadium a priority.

The Dodgers certainly have immediate needs to round out their roster. But with an expensive, aging core, adding another big free-agent contract might not be the obvious path.

Coincidentally, Rortvedt — not Smith — was behind the plate for both of the Dodgers' Wild Card series wins against the Reds. The 28-year-old journeyman filled in while Smith recovered from a fracture in his right hand, an injury that caused Smith to finish the regular season on the injured list.

The Japanese legend Ohtani hit .282 with 55 home runs and 102 RBIs, and went 1-1 on the mound with a 2.87 ERA in his return after a year absence after having Tommy John surgery. He’s the first player ever to win two in each the National League and American League.

Yamamoto’s finish is the highest by a Dodgers pitcher since Julio Urias finished third in 2022. The voting took place before Yamamoto’s outstanding postseason performance.