Shohei Ohtani's season has ended in disappointment, and the Los Angeles Dodgers now face an important question about their superstar's health: will he need surgery to recover from the injuries that have limited him throughout 2026?
The four-time MVP acknowledged after the Dodgers' elimination that it remains unclear whether he will require an operation during the offseason.
Shohei Ohtani and Munetaka Murakami share bromance during Dodgers' win
Ohtani said post-match it was "hard to tell" whether procedures would be necessary to address his lingering knee and biceps issues.
The uncertainty comes after the Milwaukee Brewers ended Los Angeles' hopes of winning a third consecutive World Series championship, completing a four-game sweep in the National League Championship Series.
Milwaukee secured a 6-4 victory in Game 4, overturning an early deficit despite Ohtani's best offensive moment of the postseason.
The Japanese star launched a three-run home run to give the Dodgers a 4-0 lead in the second inning. His emphatic celebration briefly lifted the atmosphere at Dodger Stadium, but the Brewers fought back with six unanswered runs to secure their place in the World Series.
Ohtani's late contribution could not change the outcome, leaving the Dodgers to begin their offseason earlier than expected. More importantly, the elimination gives the organization time to assess his physical condition and determine the best approach to getting him back to full strength.
Knee and biceps injuries complicate Ohtani's return to pitching
Ohtani's health has been a concern for much of the second half of the campaign. The two-way star has dealt with inflammation and soreness in his left knee, alongside discomfort in his right biceps.
Those problems disrupted his pitching schedule and ultimately prevented him from returning to the mound after July 3.
The Dodgers initially hoped that rest and treatment would allow him to resume pitching during the season. However, the club eventually decided to prioritize his availability as a hitter rather than risk aggravating his condition by continuing his pitching buildup.
Ohtani had been particularly effective on the mound before the interruption. In 14 starts during 2026, he recorded an 8-2 win-loss record and a 1.79 earned-run average, demonstrating why Los Angeles is keen to restore his ability to contribute in both roles.
The injuries also coincided with a difficult period at the plate. Although Ohtani remained in the lineup during the postseason, he struggled to reproduce his usual offensive production before delivering the three-run blast in the elimination game.
There is no confirmation that surgery will be required, and Ohtani's comments should not be interpreted as an indication that an operation has already been scheduled. The next steps will depend on medical evaluations and discussions with the Dodgers' staff during the offseason.
Despite the uncertainty, Ohtani has indicated that he intends to pitch again in 2027. His immediate priority will be finding a recovery plan that gives him the best chance of returning without further setbacks.
For Los Angeles, his health will be one of the defining issues of the winter. Ohtani is central to the team's ambitions, but the 2026 campaign has demonstrated the difficulty of managing the physical demands of being an elite hitter and pitcher simultaneously.
The Dodgers will want answers before establishing their plans for next season, while Ohtani will be looking to put a frustrating year behind him.
Whether that requires surgery or a period of rehabilitation remains unknown. What is clear is that his offseason recovery will be closely watched as the two-time defending champions attempt to regroup after their postseason collapse.