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Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani will not require offseason surgery for the injuries that disrupted his 2026 campaign, and the team expects him to return to pitching next season.
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman confirmed Wednesday that doctors recommended rest rather than surgery to address Ohtani’s right biceps and left knee issues. The organization expects the 32-year-old to be ready for the 2027 season and resume his role as both a hitter and a pitcher.
“I fully expect him to pitch next year,” Friedman said during the team’s end-of-season news conference at Dodger Stadium.
However, the Dodgers have yet to determine how they will manage Ohtani’s workload to keep him healthy throughout the regular season and into the playoffs. Friedman acknowledged that the organization has no established blueprint for handling a player with Ohtani’s unique responsibilities.
Injuries Disrupt Ohtani’s 2026 Season
Ohtani started 14 games on the mound this season, posting an 8-2 record with a 1.79 ERA, 95 strikeouts and 26 walks across 85⅔ innings. However, ongoing discomfort in his right biceps and left knee prevented him from pitching after July 3.
He continued playing as the Dodgers’ designated hitter, but his offensive production declined during the second half of the season. Ohtani finished the regular season with 30 home runs and an .889 OPS in 135 games.
The Dodgers placed him on the injured list in September, leaving him limited time to regain his rhythm before the postseason. He struggled early in the playoffs, going 4-for-23 before hitting a three-run home run in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers.
The home run ended a 25-game homer drought, but it could not prevent the Dodgers from suffering a sweep that ended their bid for a third consecutive World Series title.
Ohtani acknowledged after the elimination that he needed to reassess his approach to recovery and preparation.
“I haven’t been able to really come to grips with what I learned overall this season,” Ohtani said through an interpreter. “I will go back to the drawing board in terms of treatment, a training program and see what I can come up with for next season.”
Dodgers Consider Changes to Ohtani’s Workload
The Dodgers want Ohtani to remain a two-way player, but his injury problems have raised questions about how the team can balance his pitching and hitting responsibilities.
One possibility is to delay his return to the starting rotation at the beginning of the 2027 season. The team could also build additional rest into his schedule or adjust his workload as the season progresses.
Friedman said the organization would need to be deliberate about its decisions, particularly as it tries to ensure Ohtani remains effective when the postseason arrives.
“This is unprecedented, what he’s doing,” Friedman said, explaining that the team has no comparable situation from which to draw lessons.
Communication will also be important. Friedman acknowledged that Ohtani’s desire to compete and help the team win can make it difficult for him to communicate the extent of his physical discomfort.
The Dodgers will need to work closely with Ohtani to establish a plan that allows him to contribute on both sides without compromising his health.
Ohtani Remains Central to Dodgers’ Plans
Ohtani remains one of the most important players in the Dodgers’ organization after helping the team win consecutive World Series titles in 2024 and 2025. His ability to contribute as an elite hitter and starting pitcher gives Los Angeles a unique advantage when he is healthy.
His 2026 campaign demonstrated the challenge of maintaining that level of production while managing multiple injuries. Although his pitching numbers remained strong before his final start, his physical problems affected his availability and offensive consistency later in the year.
The Dodgers also face other offseason decisions, including pending free agency for several pitchers and the need to strengthen an aging position-player group. However, establishing a sustainable plan for Ohtani will be among their biggest priorities.
Friedman remains confident that the two-way star can return to the mound in 2027. The challenge now is finding the right approach to keep him healthy and productive throughout the season.
