{
  "id": 15055120,
  "title": "Shohei Ohtani’s health and a possible lockout loom over an uncertain offseason for the Dodgers",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/shohei-ohtanis-health-and-a-possible-lockout-loom-over-an-uncertain",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-16T22:06:20.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Winnipeg Free Press",
    "slug": "winnipeg-free-press",
    "url": "https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/baseball/2026/10/16/shohei-ohtanis-health-and-a-possible-lockout-loom-over-an-uncertain-offseason-for-the-dodgers"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "After their earliest postseason exit in three years, the Los Angeles Dodgers face uncertainty over next year amid concerns over the health of two-time All-Star and ace pitcher Shohei Ohtani, who was plagued by knee and biceps injuries during the second half and playoffs. Ohtani, 33, has had two Tommy John surgeries and acknowledged the possibility of needing offseason surgery, which could further delay his return. A potential MLB lockout looms with the current collective bargaining agreement set to expire on Dec. 1, as team owners propose a salary cap that players' union has rejected.\n\nDodgers president Andrew Friedman acknowledged Ohtani's communication was \"awesome\" during the season but noted it was not always fully transparent. If Ohtani undergoes surgery, the recovery could bleed into the start of the next season, and without team communication, he would have to rehabilitate on his own.\n\nThe Dodgers had baseball's second-highest opening day payroll at $323.3 million this year, behind the New York Mets. With a potential salary cap, spending could be constrained. Nine players are set to become free agents after the World Series, including two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal, who is expected to command a significant contract. Infielder Miguel Rojas announced his retirement, while others like Kiké Hernández, Kris Bubic, Brusdar Graterol, Eric Lauer, Evan Phillips, Blake Treinen and Alex Vesia are also free agents.\n\nJosue De Paula, promoted from Double-A to the majors in September, made an impression in the postseason as a pinch-hitter and could develop into a good corner outfielder. The veteran core remains intact with Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Ohtani, Tucker, Max Muncy and Will Smith. However, some supporting players like Kiké Hernández could be offloaded.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}