Sports · Baseball · 4 hrs ago
Dodgers expect Shohei Ohtani to pitch again in 2027 without surgery
The Los Angeles Dodgers expect Shohei Ohtani to pitch in 2027 and continue playing as both a pitcher and hitter.
Dodgers baseball operations president Andrew Friedman said Ohtani will not need surgery for the knee and right-arm injuries he had during the 2026 season.
Doctors prescribed rest, and the Dodgers expect his preparations for next season to be unaffected.
Ohtani stopped pitching after July 3, although he made 14 starts before then and had a 1.79 ERA.
His injuries also affected his hitting late in the season, and the Dodgers were swept by the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Championship Series.
The team has not decided how to manage his pitching workload, including whether he should start later or pitch throughout the season.
Ohtani said he plans to review his treatment and training for next season.
The Dodgers say Shohei Ohtani will not need surgery for injuries to his left knee or right arm.
President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said he fully expects Ohtani to pitch in 2027.
The team expects Ohtani to continue as a two-way player, though how he will be managed has not been decided.
Ohtani stopped pitching after July 3 because of the knee injury, while a right biceps injury also affected him.
Doctors prescribed rest, and the Dodgers were swept by the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Championship Series.
- Who
- Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Dodgers.
- What
- The Dodgers say Ohtani will not need surgery and expect him to pitch again in 2027 as a two-way player.
- When
- The announcement was made Wednesday, October 21, 2026.
- Where
- The announcement was made at an end-of-season news conference at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.
- Why
- Doctors prescribed rest for Ohtani’s injuries; the sources do not state a more specific reason for the decision against surgery.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Ohtani’s knee and biceps injuries began affecting him, according to Friedman.
Ohtani made his last pitching appearance of the season.
Ohtani hit a home run, his first since August 18, according to ESPN.
Ohtani spoke after the Dodgers’ season-ending loss and said he was not satisfied with how his pitching season had gone.
Friedman said Ohtani would not need surgery and that the Dodgers expected him to pitch in 2027.
- Expected return
- 2027
- Surgery
- Not planned; doctors prescribed rest
- Last pitching date
- July 3, 2026
- Injuries
- Left knee and right biceps
- 2026 pitching record
- 8-2 with a 1.79 ERA in 14 starts
- Postseason opponent
- Milwaukee Brewers
7 sources
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What people are saying
I fully expect him to pitch next year
That's not on the table
not quite satisfied with how things shaped up on the pitching side
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Andrew Friedman said Shohei Ohtani will not need surgery during the offseason.