Oct 21, 2026, 9:46 PM ET

Los Angeles Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said at the team's end-of-year press conference on Wednesday that surgery is not on the table for two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (knee, biceps) and that he "fully expects" Ohtani to pitch next year, according to Katie Wood of The Athletic. Ohtani was not healthy in the second half of the season while battling through knee and biceps injuries, and he did not make a single start as a pitcher for the Dodgers after July 3. The four-time MVP was still productive, but he was not his usual self at the plate after the All-Star break, hitting .245/.325/.447 with eight home runs in the second half. The 32-year-old Japanese veteran then hit just .192 (5-for-26) with a homer, three RBI, three runs scored, a stolen base, four walks, and 10 strikeouts in eight playoff games. It should be music to Dodgers fans' ears that Ohtani will continue to be a two-way player again in 2027, and if he is at full health, he should be a must-start as both a hitter and pitcher in his 10th year in the big leagues. Overall in 2026, Ohtani hit 30 home runs, drove in 81 runs, scored 89 runs, and stole 11 bases in 135 regular-season games. He was lights-out on the mound in 14 starts before being shut down in the second half, going 8-2 with a 1.79 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, and 95:26 K:BB in 85 2/3 innings pitched.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - Katie Woo

Oct 18, 2026, 10:00 AM ET

Knee and biceps injuries kept Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani off the mound over the final three months this year, but he said he "definitely" plans to pitch in 2027, according to Brian Murphy of MLB.com. The 32-year-old also slumped badly at the plate late in the season, so badly that the Dodgers considered benching the four-time MVP for Game 3 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers. It is unclear if Ohtani will have an offseason procedure. Ohtani was in the NL Cy Young picture in the first half of the season and had a 1.79 ERA while limiting hitters to a .179 average over 85 2/3 innings. But he started dealing with pain in his left knee on June 11 and last pitched on July 3 against the San Diego Padres. Over his final four starts, he allowed 12 earned runs in 24 2/3 innings. Before that, he gave up only five earned runs in 61 innings. Ohtani landed on the injured list in September, his first trip to the IL in almost three years. Depending on any offseason procedures that he has, Ohtani should be extremely attractive as both a hitter and pitcher in fantasy again in 2027.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com - Brian Murphy

Oct 16, 2026, 1:30 PM ET

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani started to show signs of life at the plate in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series on Thursday night in L.A., but it was a little too late as the Dodgers lost 6-4 to get swept in four games in the best-of-seven series. Ohtani went 1-for-4 at the plate out of the leadoff spot with a three-run home run, but he also struck out three times. The Dodgers considered benching the superstar and four-time MVP for Game 3 of the NLCS on Wednesday, but instead they bumped him down to the sixth spot in the batting order. Ohtani's home run on Thursday was his first long ball since Aug. 18 as he slumped down the stretch and landed on the injured list in September with lingering knee and biceps injuries. The 32-year-old superstar hit just .192/.323/.308 in eight postseason games as the Dodgers fell short in their attempt to be the first team to three-peat. Hopefully, Ohtani will avoid going under the knife in the offseason and return to full strength in spring training in 2027. The biggest question about Ohtani's profile going forward is whether the Dodgers will consider making him only a hitter to avoid him breaking down as he did late in 2026.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com

Oct 15, 2026, 7:28 PM ET

The Los Angeles Dodgers have moved designated hitter Shohei Ohtani back to the leadoff spot on Thursday for Game 4 of the National League Championship Series at Dodger Stadium against the Milwaukee Brewers and rookie left-hander Shane Drohan, per MLB.com. The Dodgers considered benching the slumping Ohtani for Game 3 of the NLCS on Wednesday, but instead they dropped him down to sixth in the batting order, his lowest spot since joining the Dodgers. The four-time MVP went 1-for-2 at the plate on Wednesday night and reached base three times, but he has been slumping for more than a month while battling through knee and biceps issues in the second half of the season. Since the start of September, Ohtani has played in only eight games and has gone 6-for-30 (.200) at the plate with no homers, one RBI, and a stolen base. The Japanese superstar has not homered since Aug. 18. If the Dodgers are going to miraculously come back from down three games to none in the best-of-seven series, Ohtani is going to need to get hot in a hurry.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com

Oct 14, 2026, 7:58 PM ET

After the Los Angeles Dodgers reportedly considered benching two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani going into Game 3 of the National League Championship Series on Wednesday against the visiting Milwaukee Brewers, Ohtani is serving as the designated hitter and is batting sixth against lefty Robert Gasser, according to MLB.com. Ohtani, who has carried the Dodgers to back-to-back championships, has not been right and has battled knee and biceps injuries since early in July. There has been a major power outage for the four-time MVP, as he has not homered since Aug. 19 and has a .156/.283/.200 slash line since then. The sixth spot is the lowest in the batting order that Ohtani has hit in with the Dodgers. The 32-year-old veteran is hoping to provide a spark for L.A. and prevent the Dodgers from falling into a daunting 3-0 hole in the best-of-seven series. In six postseason games this October, Ohtani has just three hits in 24 plate appearances with two runs scored, one steal, three walks, and seven strikeouts.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com

Oct 13, 2026, 10:08 PM ET

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that designated hitter Shohei Ohtani will be in the team's lineup for Game 3 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday, per Jack Harris of the California Post. Ohtani played through knee and biceps issues for a significant portion of the second half of the regular season. The 32-year-old hit just .245 with eight home runs across 212 plate appearances after the All-Star break, and his struggles have continued into the postseason. Across 24 plate appearances in October, Ohtani has just three hits, none of which have gone for extra bases. With the Dodgers down two games to zero against Milwaukee, they will need more out of Ohtani to mount a comeback and continue their bid for a third straight World Series title.--Will Brady
Source: California Post - Jack Harris

Oct 13, 2026, 1:14 PM ET

The Los Angeles Dodgers will contemplate benching two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani for Game 3 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday, even with the team down two games to none, according to The Athletic's Katie Woo and Ken Rosenthal. "He doesn't feel great. I think for me, it's having a conversation with him tomorrow, kind of try to figure out what's best for him, what's best for us. He certainly has earned that conversation and deserves it," manager Dave Roberts said. The four-time MVP has dealt with knee and biceps issues since the start of the second half of the regular season and has not looked like himself at the plate for a while now. If the Dodgers sit Ohtani on Wednesday, rookie outfielder Josue De Paula would be the top candidate to take his spot as the designated hitter. Ohtani went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts in the Game 2 loss to Milwaukee on Monday, lowering his playoff average to .150 and his postseason OPS to .411. He has not homered since Aug. 18 and has driven in just one run since Aug. 19, going 14-for-90 in that stretch. Ohtani has clearly not been himself and is still likely not 100% physically, but it is still unfathomable to think the Dodgers might actually bench the superstar for Game 3 in L.A. on Wednesday.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - Katie Woo and Ken Rosenthal

Oct 6, 2026, 3:35 PM ET

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani is serving as the designated hitter (as usual) but is being dropped to fifth in the batting order on Tuesday for Game 3 of the National League Division Series in Atlanta against the Braves and left-hander Chris Sale, according to MLB.com. Against Sale, one of the toughest southpaws in baseball, left-handed-hitting position players Max Muncy and Tommy Edman are out of the starting nine. This will be Ohtani's lowest lineup position since joining the Dodgers. The four-time MVP has gone 1-for-4 at the plate in the first two games of the NLDS against Atlanta. The 32-year-old Japanese superstar hit .275 (144-for-523) with 30 homers, 81 RBI, 89 runs scored, and 11 stolen bases in the regular season, but he missed time late in the year with biceps and knee injuries, which limited him offensively. Ohtani has played in only eight games since the start of September and has gone 6-for-30 (.200) with zero homers and one RBI in 36 plate appearances. He did hit .274 with 12 of his 30 homers against lefties, but Sale will surely be a difficult matchup for a power hitter looking to get back into a groove.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com

Sep 22, 2026, 7:50 PM ET

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (knee) is expected to be activated from the injured list on Wednesday, as had been the hope, manager Dave Roberts told Sonja Chen of MLB.com. Ohtani is getting ready to return from a stay on the IL that lasted for several weeks. The four-time MVP has not made a start as a pitcher since July 3 against the Padres, and he is not expected to be an option on the mound for the Dodgers at all the rest of the regular season or postseason. But Roberts expects Ohtani to be ready to return on Wednesday against San Diego as the team's primary designated hitter. They will want the 32-year-old Japanese superstar to get some live at-bats going into the final weekend of the regular season before the playoffs begin in October. Ohtani's two-way status has taken a toll on him physically in 2026, although he still has hit a strong .277/.380/.522 with 30 home runs, 80 RBI, 11 stolen bases, and 89 runs scored in 130 games. While he probably will not win a fourth straight MVP award, Ohtani can definitely still help the Dodgers win an unprecedented third straight World Series title if he is past his knee and biceps injuries that have bothered him for around half the season.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com - Sonja Chen

Sep 20, 2026, 12:54 AM ET

There is a "good chance" that Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (knee, biceps) will be activated from the 10-day injured list for the series against the division-rival San Diego Padres at home next week, manager Dave Roberts told Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. Ohtani is eligible to come off the IL on Wednesday, so he could be back as the team's designated hitter for the second game of the series at Dodger Stadium. The four-time MVP apparently looked good after running the bases and taking simulated at-bats off a Trajekt machine before Saturday's game. There is still a little time for the 32-year-old Japanese native to help the Dodgers and fantasy managers in the final stretch of the 2026 regular season. However, the Dodgers probably are not going to rush him back, so it would not be a surprise to get a game or two off in the final four or five games of the year. Ohtani has hit .277/.380/.522 with a .902 OPS, 30 homers, 80 RBI, 89 runs scored, and 11 stolen bases in 502 at-bats. It has been a strong season, but nagging left-knee and right-biceps injuries since early July caught up with him, and he was placed on the IL after hitting an un-Ohtani-like .241/.322/.472 with a .795 OPS in 27 games in August.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - Fabian Ardaya

Sep 19, 2026, 10:05 PM ET

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (knee, biceps) has progressed to taking simulated at-bats off the team's pitching machine on Saturday, Jack Harris of the California Post reports. Ohtani was also able to run the bases as he works his way back from a biceps and knee issue. It's unclear if Ohtani will return when he's first eligible on Wednesday. The Dodgers have already clinched the postseason, so they don't exactly need to rush him back into the lineup. However, the Dodgers would probably like for Ohtani to play in a few regular-season games before the playoffs begin. Fantasy managers should check back for another update in a few days.--Andy Webb
Source: Jack Harris

Sep 17, 2026, 11:12 AM ET

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter/starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani (knee, biceps) is making progress and has a chance to return before the end of the regular season, per Jack Harris of the California Post. Ohtani is currently on the 15-day injured list as he battles lingering knee and biceps issues. The Dodgers have already announced that Ohtani will not pitch again this season, but the 32-year-old is expected to resume his role as the team's everyday designated hitter. Across 596 plate appearances in 2026, Ohtani is hitting .277/.380/.522 with 30 home runs, 80 RBI, 89 runs scored, and 11 stolen bases. His production had begun to trail off before he was placed on the IL, with just one hit in 14 plate appearances in September. Still, Ohtani has the potential to swing fantasy leagues if he can return for the final weekend of the regular season.--Will Brady
Source: California Post - Jack Harris

Sep 14, 2026, 5:15 PM ET

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said on Monday that two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (knee, biceps) will swing a bat and hit off a tee on Tuesday, according to David Vassegh of 570 AM LA Sports. Nagging left-knee and right-biceps injuries finally landed Ohtani on the injured list last Friday, but the fact that he is ready to resume baseball activities is a good sign that he will be able to return towards the tail end of the regular season at the end of September, barring a setback. The Dodgers will be hoping that the four-time MVP can finally put his knee and biceps injuries in the past and help the Blue get into a third straight World Series. The six-time All-Star has hit .277/.380/.522 this year with a .902 OPS, 30 home runs, 80 RBI, 89 runs scored, and 11 stolen bases in his 502 at-bats, but his offensive production had been tailing off before the Dodgers put him on the IL last week. Ohtani hit only .241 (26-for-108) with six homers, three doubles, two triples, 13 RBI, 16 runs, and four stolen bases in 27 games in August, but he had gone just 1-for-9 with three walks and six strikeouts in the first three games of September. Outfield prospect Josue De Paula was called up last week and has been seeing some at-bats at the designated hitter spot for L.A. with Ohtani out.--Keith Hernandez
Source: 570 AM LA Sports - David Vassegh

Sep 10, 2026, 7:09 AM ET

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani (biceps/knee) is going on the injured list, according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. Ohtani has been dealing with many lingering injuries and has been held out of the lineup for much of the past week. Additionally, Ohtani has not stepped on the mound since July 3 and has only been deployed as a designated hitter. However, this move to the injured list could end his regular season, depending on the severity of his injuries. In a corresponding move, the Dodgers are set to promote top prospect Josue De Paula from Double-A, who could see an everyday role as the designated hitter or an outfielder. Through 134 games, Ohtani has held a .277/.380/.522 line with 30 home runs and 11 stolen bases. Managers should continue to stash Ohtani in case he does return for the final week of the regular season. De Paula is a top waiver wire pickup in all formats, as he posted an elite .303 AVG with a .948 OPS at Tulsa.--Andy Smith
Source: Fabian Ardaya