Shohei Ohtani to Pitch Next Season Without Surgery

The Los Angeles Dodgers have announced that Shohei Ohtani will not require surgery despite playing through knee and biceps injuries late in the season and into the postseason. President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman confirmed this news on Wednesday.

Friedman stated categorically that surgery is not being considered for Ohtani, who has been a two-way player for the Dodgers. The team fully expects him to take the mound again next season, and they are indeed enthusiastic about his prospects as a pitcher.

Ohtani's knee injury had forced him to stop pitching after July 3, while he nursed the biceps strain throughout the season. He attempted to prepare for a return by throwing bullpen sessions and facing hitters in live batting practice in late August, but ultimately had to be shut down.

The injuries had a significant impact on Ohtani's performance at the plate towards the end of the year. During his final 26 games, including postseason contests, he hit just .167 with one home run, going 5 for 21 with eight strikeouts in five regular-season games after returning from injury and 5 for 26 with 10 strikeouts in the postseason.

Before the injuries set in, Ohtani had made 14 starts, throwing a total of 85 ⅔ innings with an impressive ERA of 1.79. His career ERA in regular-season starts is a respectable 2.83 over 114 appearances.

The Dodgers' confidence in Ohtani's pitching abilities stems from his consistent performance as a starter. Whenever he takes the mound, he has consistently shown ace-like qualities, which explains why both he and the team are eager to have him back on the field next season.

The Dodgers have a decision to make regarding Shohei Ohtani's role on the team next season. One option is to maintain their current six-man rotation and include Ohtani as a regular member of the pitching staff.

This approach would allow Ohtani to pitch every sixth day, which could be beneficial for his overall performance and the team's chances in the World Series. However, it remains to be seen whether this plan aligns with Ohtani's personal preferences and needs.

The Dodgers' rotation depth chart is a strong foundation on which to build their pitching staff next season. Even if they are unable to re-sign Tarik Skubal, there are several talented pitchers who could step up and fill the void.

Wrobleski and Sheehan have proven themselves to be capable starters, while Stone showed promise during his minor-league rehab appearances. The team also has the option of signing a depth starter if needed.

The Dodgers' roster flexibility is another factor that will influence their decision regarding Ohtani's role. As a two-way player, Ohtani counts against the position player total, allowing the team to carry a full complement of 13 pitchers.

The Dodgers have successfully integrated Shohei Ohtani into their pitching rotation in the past, and they are confident that he will be able to pitch again in 2027. When Ohtani returned from UCL surgery in 2025, he followed a unique schedule that allowed him to work on both his hitting and pitching skills simultaneously.

In 2025, Ohtani threw bullpen sessions and live batting practices in the afternoon, before taking to the plate at night. This approach enabled him to gradually build up his endurance, culminating in four starts and 20 ⅓ innings of relief pitching during the postseason. The Dodgers' experience with this strategy provides a valuable precedent for their plans with Ohtani.

However, implementing such a schedule will be challenging, particularly when it comes to warming up between pitching and hitting assignments. If Ohtani is due to bat in the previous inning or has a late lineup spot, finding time to warm up as a reliever could become complicated.

Moreover, MLB's rules stipulate that if Ohtani enters a game as a reliever, he cannot remain in the game as the designated hitter (DH). This means the Dodgers would have to find alternative arrangements for Ohtani's role once he exits the pitching mound. One possible solution is to deploy him as the closer or final pitcher of the game.

The scenario becomes even more complex if the game goes into extra innings, as the team would then be without one of their key hitters in Ohtani. The Dodgers will need to carefully navigate these logistical challenges as they plan for Ohtani's pitching role in 2027.

The Dodgers' decision on Shohei Ohtani's pitching role for 2027 is crucial in determining their chances of securing a Wild Card Series bye. With the team expected to compete for the NL West title next season, starting Ohtani late seems like a viable option.

However, the difference between having Ohtani for 15 starts and 23 starts could be significant, potentially deciding whether they secure a bye or have to play in the best-of-three series.