As spring training approaches, significant injuries are already affecting the MLB MVP landscape. Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll and New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor have both suffered fractured hamate bones, leading some sportsbooks to remove them from the National League MVP board. Both were considered top-10 candidates prior to their injuries, though well behind favorite Shohei Ohtani.
While neither player has been officially ruled out for Opening Day, their availability is in serious jeopardy. Even if they play, they are likely to begin the season behind schedule. At books where their odds remain, the lines have not adjusted enough to present betting value relative to the injury risk.
The latest odds for the 2026 season are now available. In the American League, Bobby Witt Jr. and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. are among the frontrunners. For the National League, Ronald Acuña Jr. and Fernando Tatis Jr. lead the board, with prospects like Pete Crow-Armstrong also listed.
Historical context shows the difficulty of winning the award. The New York Yankees lead with 25 MVP winners, while the St. Louis Cardinals top the NL with 21. Notably, no player from the Diamondbacks, Mets, or Tampa Bay Rays has ever won an MVP.