Shohei Ohtani expected to pitch next year; surgery 'not on the table'

Los Angeles Dodgers president Andrew Friedman revealed that star player Shohei Ohtani is not expected to undergo surgery to recover from his knee and biceps injuries this offseason. Instead, Ohtani is anticipated to heal naturally, allowing him to pitch again next year. The Dodgers are preparing for Ohtani to be a full-strength, dual-threat player in the upcoming season.

Despite the difficulties posed by his injuries, Ohtani played in 135 games this year, tying for the lowest number of games played by a Dodger since 2020. He appeared on the mound just eight times, with his final pitching appearance on July 3, before the All-Star break. Ohtani was placed on the injured list on September 3 and did not return until September 29 to allow for additional rest before the postseason.

Although his performance suffered on the field, he still contributed to the team's success, hitting .275 with 30 home runs, his lowest batting average since 2022, and a fewest home runs since 2020. Nevertheless, his efforts helped the Dodgers secure 100 wins, the second-most in MLB history. The Dodgers advanced to the playoffs as the second seed in the National League, defeating the Atlanta Braves, but lost in the National League Championship Series to the Milwaukee Brewers. With Ohtani's recovery on track, the Dodgers aim to secure a third consecutive World Series title.