The Los Angeles Dodgers just got absolutely swept in four games by the Milwaukee Brewers in the NLCS, ending their season and two-time championship run. But while that loss stings big time, the real buzz coming out of the clubhouse is all about Shohei Ohtani and what went sideways for the superstar.
The Playoff Struggles Were Brutal
It’s no secret Ohtani spent the entire back half of the 2026 season fighting through injuries. We’re talking right biceps and left knee issues that clearly limited him. The team even put him on the injured list in mid-September, citing right biceps inflammation. He made it back for the final week of the regular season, yeah, but anyone watching could tell he wasn’t 100%. That’s probably why he had such a tough time in the playoffs, right? His big home run in Game 4 of the NLCS felt like a flash of his old self, but get this: it was his *first homer since August 18*. Let that sink in. His playoff performance? A rough .630 OPS across eight games, with that Game 4 blast being his only extra base hit. This downward trend, it didn’t just pop up in the postseason, it started way earlier in the regular season. This year, these injuries weren’t just about his pitching arm, they hit his bat, and it showed.
The S-Word Is On The Table For Offseason
After that NLCS loss, Ohtani faced the media, and naturally, his health was topic number one. The big question looming? Whether he might need to go under the knife in the offseason. When asked about potential surgery, Ohtani kept it honest through his interpreter, saying, “Hard to tell at this point. It’s something that we’ll analyze, discuss over the offseason and see if that’s a viable thing to do.” So, while he’s not committing to anything just yet, he’s definitely putting it out there: surgery is on the table as he and the Dodgers figure out the best path forward. Ohtani’s no stranger to injuries, but usually, those were pitching-only problems. This time, his hitting took a major hit, leading to an underwhelming second half and a playoff run far below his usual MVP standards.
Still Looking To Pitch In 2027
Even with all this injury talk, Ohtani dropped another bombshell: he plans on pitching next season. Think about it: he pitched in 14 games in 2026 but didn’t throw a single pitch after July 3. He and the team agreed it was best for him to focus solely on hitting for the rest of the year. But come 2027, he wants back on the mound. When asked if he plans to pitch, his answer was a resounding, “Yes, definitely.” He added, “Looking forward to having a better season next year.” You gotta admire the determination, even with the question mark of potential surgery hanging over his head.
So, as the Dodgers head into a long offseason trying to figure out what happened, Ohtani faces some massive personal decisions. Resting is a given, but that conversation about surgery is going to be front and center. Can he really bounce back and pitch *and* hit at an elite level after a season like this and with potential surgery? Only time, and a lot of offseason discussions, will tell. We’re all gonna be glued to see how this plays out for one of baseball’s biggest stars.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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