Shohei Ohtani will not need surgery during offseason and is expected to pitch in 2027

The Los Angeles Dodgers have ruled out the prospect of off-season surgery for four-time Most Valuable Player Shohei Ohtani following his injury-riddled end to the 2026 season. Ohtani's poor form was cited as a key factor behind the Dodgers' failed playoff campaign, which ended in a 4-0 sweep by the Milwaukee Brewers last week. The 32-year-old had been dealing with knee and biceps issues since July, and the team has been under scrutiny for their management of his injuries leading into the postseason.

Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman stated that surgery for Ohtani was not on the table. He described the star's injuries as a "game of whack-a-mole," as they came and went unpredictably, with some calming down only for others to re-irritate. Ohtani, whose exceptional pitching and hitting abilities have earned him comparisons to the greatest player in baseball history, had been targeting a Cy Young pitching award for 2026 before his injuries limited his pitching prospects.

Friedman assured reporters that the Dodgers expected Ohtani to pitch next season, but the team would develop a strategy to ensure he was at his best heading into October. The challenge now lies in managing a long season while keeping Ohtani in peak condition. Ohtani's statistics in 2026 marked his worst season since signing with the Dodgers in 2023, with his home run count dropping to 30 and his batting average falling to .275, compared to his 54 and 55 home runs in the previous two seasons, and averages of .310 and .282.