THE APEX TIMES
Ohtani says he “definitely” plans to pitch in 2027, but procedure still undecided
Shohei Ohtani told reporters he is committed to returning to pitching next season after a 2026 campaign that ended without him taking the mound in the postseason. He acknowledged his late-year pitching issues and said any offseason medical steps are still being evaluated.
Shohei Ohtani said after the Dodgers’ season-ending loss to the Brewers that he “definitely” plans to pitch in 2027. Asked whether he was aiming to get back on the mound next year, Ohtani answered positively, and he also looked forward to “a better season next year.”
Ohtani’s two-way season effectively ended earlier than the postseason. The Dodgers’ release says multiple injuries, “chiefly” left knee inflammation and right biceps inflammation, compromised his pitching ability during the summer and also affected his production as a hitter.
In the report, Ohtani’s last start on the mound came on July 3, after pain in his left knee began June 11. Over his final four pitching starts (June 10 through July 3), he allowed 12 earned runs in 24 2/3 innings. Earlier in the year, the team says he had allowed only five earned runs in 61 innings.
The release also notes Ohtani went on the 15-day injured list in September due to biceps inflammation. It was his first IL trip in nearly three years.
While Ohtani was clear about the goal, he was noncommittal on the method. The team says it remains “hard to tell” whether any specific offseason procedure will be involved, adding that the plan will be analyzed and discussed over the offseason.
The Dodgers’ release frames the 2026 pitching benchmark as strong when he was healthy, citing a 1.79 ERA and a.179 opponent average over 85 2/3 innings. It also describes the year-end pitching learning curve as unfinished, with Ohtani saying he was “not quite satisfied” with how things ended on the mound.
Why It Matters
- For the Dodgers, Ohtani’s 2027 pitching return is the clearest path to restoring their two-way ceiling after a season in which he could not contribute on the mound in October.
- The uncertainty is not the goal, but the process. The offseason decision on treatment and training program, as Ohtani described it, could shape how quickly he can ramp up next spring.
- Ohtani’s late-season pitching difficulties also affect how the Dodgers and Ohtani may plan workload and risk management, even if his healthy-year production level suggests he can be elite when fully functional.
Key Facts
- Ohtani said he “definitely” plans to pitch in 2027 after the Dodgers’ season ended Thursday night against the Brewers.
- The Dodgers report that left knee inflammation and right biceps inflammation compromised Ohtani’s pitching ability and also affected his hitting.
- The report says Ohtani last pitched on July 3, after left-knee pain started June 11.
- In his final four starts (June 10 to July 3), Ohtani allowed 12 earned runs in 24 2/3 innings, after allowing five earned runs in 61 innings prior to that stretch.
- The report says Ohtani went on the 15-day injured list in September due to biceps inflammation, his first trip to the IL in nearly three years.