Ohtani: ‘Most likely’ won’t pitch again this season

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  Alden GonzalezSep 7, 2026, 08:01 PM ET

LOS ANGELES — Shohei Ohtani confirmed Monday evening that he is “most likely” off the mound for the remainder of the season, acknowledging injuries and a shortened schedule, and noted he is redoing his focus on hitting power.

“Disappointing,” Ohtani explained via his interpreter, describing the elimination of his two‑way aspirations. Yet he emphasized that reviewing the season would serve as a valuable learning experience, shaping his approach for the following year.

First, Ohtani must prioritize his health for the campaign. His return to the Los Angeles Dodgers lineup on Monday came after a four‑day layoff triggered by a buildup of injuries, highlighted by an uncomfortable 10th‑inning surge on Wednesday when he appeared clearly in distress.

Ohtani, who posted a 0‑for‑3, two strikeouts and a walk during a 6‑3 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Labor Day, expressed discomfort along the right side of his neck and into his arm on Wednesday night. He has also grappled with left‑knee soreness for months and experienced a right‑biceps flare‑up during an August 28 bulkened‑session, marking the final time he threw a ball. The Dodgers have yet to decide when—if ever—to attempt another outing, and prioritizing pitching recovery is clearly secondary at this point.

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“Yes, he loves pitching, loves being a two‑way player,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “But right now, it just doesn’t make any sense.”

Ohtani said his concerns center mainly on his right biceps and left knee. He was asked whether those issues contributed to a recent slump characterized by seven hits and twenty strikeouts across fifty‑one at‑bats before taking Thursday through Sunday off.

Despite posting an 8‑2 record with a 1.79 ERA in fourteen starts, Ohtani has gone forty‑five plus innings without pitching since July 3 and continues to struggle with left‑knee discomfort on the mound. With additions like Tarik Skubal joining a rotation that already features Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow, the lineup relies heavily on his offensive production rather than throwing again.

Since mid‑July, the Dodgers’ offense sits 23rd in OPS (.701), 20th in runs per game (4.31) and 23rd in WAR+ (94). Ohtani, hitting .277/.380/.522 while netting thirty homers and eleven steals despite the slump, can ignite the top of the order. The clubs urgently need him to re‑engage and stay healthy before the stretch‑run finale.

“I’m confident that my overall performance should improve moving forward,” Ohtani added after his Monday appearance, his first media interview since August 17. “My primary goal this season has been avoiding any situation where I cannot play at all.”

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