Shohei Ohtani is planning to pitch again in 2027. That’s the word straight from the man himself, after the Dodgers’ season came to a screeching halt on Thursday with an NLCS loss. When asked if he expects to be on the mound, Ohtani’s response, through interpreter Will Ireton, was clear: “Yes, definitely. And looking forward to having a better season next year.” This isn’t just another soundbite; it’s a huge declaration that leaves a lot of questions hanging, especially for a Dodgers team that just stumbled out of the postseason.
Ohtani’s Two-Way Obsession Hits a Wall in 2026
Look, Ohtani has always been adamant about playing both ways whenever his body allows it. He’s arguably the most successful two-way player ever, even surpassing Babe Ruth, who only dared to hit and pitch for two seasons before sticking to the outfield. The guy is a legend, no doubt. But for the first time in his three years with the Dodgers, 2026 saw him start in the rotation, pitching once a week while leading off every game. By midseason, he was the overwhelming MVP favorite. We were all thinking, “This is it, the full Ohtani experience is back!”
Then came the red flags. By the postseason, he was telling reporters he couldn’t figure out his knee, biceps, and neck issues. He made his last start on the mound way back on July 3, then got a lubricant injection in his knee during the All-Star break. The plan was to bring him back when ready, but bullpen setbacks pushed that pitching return all the way into 2027. He kept hitting, but those combined injuries wrecked his form in September, eventually landing him on the injured list. It was a nightmare scenario.
The Devolution of a Superstar: What It Means for Next Year
When Ohtani came back from the IL, he just wasn’t the same. The Dodgers tried everything, shuffling him around the lineup, but the power just wasn’t there. Can you believe he went 26 games between home runs? His three-run blast in Game 4 of the NLCS was his first long ball since August 18. That’s a brutal drought for a slugger of his caliber. By the end, he was hitting a measly .192/.323/.308 with 4 walks and 10 strikeouts in the final stretch.
The Dodgers, who miraculously navigated compromised rotations to win titles in 2024 and 2025, just couldn’t survive 2026 with a compromised offense and a compromised Ohtani. He’s saying he’ll pitch in 2027, but he wouldn’t say if that path involves an offseason procedure. That’s a pretty big detail to keep under wraps. It’s not just about what Ohtani *wants* to do, but what his body *can* do, and what the Dodgers will allow him to do. The question isn’t just “Can Ohtani pitch again?” it’s “Should he, and how much?” because his health clearly impacts everything. What will a “better season next year” actually look like? We’re all waiting to find out.
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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