What Shohei Ohtani revealed about injuries after NLCS loss to Brewers originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Los Angeles Dodgers season came to an end in the NLCS, as the Milwaukee Brewers swept the two-time defending champions in four games. Now, the questions turn to what went wrong with Shohei Ohtani down the stretch.
Ohtani spent the second half of the 2026 season battling injuries, most notably to his right biceps and left knee. When Los Angeles put Ohtani on the injured list in the middle of September, it was as a result of what the team called right biceps inflammation.
While Ohtani returned in the final week of the regular season, he did not seem fully healthy, which might be why he struggled so much in the playoffs. His big home run in Game 4 of the NLCS was his first homer since August 18, a sign that he hadn't been himself for a while.
Ohtani's playoff performance left a lot to be desired, with a .630 OPS in eight games. His home run on Thursday night was his only extra base hit of the playoffs, a downward trend that began in the regular season.
With Ohtani heading to the offseason, here's what the two-way player said about his health.
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Shohei Ohtani injuries
After the NLCS loss to the Brewers, Ohtani addressed the media and touched on a variety of topics stemming from the first playoff series loss in his career. Specifically, Ohtani addressed his injuries and whether he may need to undergo surgery in the offseason.
"Hard to tell at this point," Ohtani said after the game through his interpreter. " It's something that we'll analyze, discuss over the offseason and see if that's a viable thing to do."
Ohtani: "I'm just very disappointed... Looking forward to having a better season next year." https://t.co/zlrhbbBSXH
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) October 16, 2026
Ohtani is no stranger to injuries, but those ailments typically impacted his availability as a pitcher only. This year, Ohtani's injuries appeared to limit his impact as a hitter, which led to an underwhelming second half of the season and postseason.
Ohtani will at least benefit from resting in the offseason, but it's also possible that he needs surgery to help repair whatever injuries he dealt with in 2026. For now, Ohtani isn't committing to undergoing surgery, but he is acknowledging that it is on the table as he and the Dodgers discuss the best way to move forward.
Will Shohei Ohtani pitch in 2027?
Also of note, Ohtani admitted after the game that he plans on pitching next season. The two-way player pitched in 14 games in 2026 but didn't appear in a game as a pitcher after July 3, as he and the team agreed it was best for him to focus on just hitting.
However, when the next season begins, Ohtani wants to be on the mound.
"Yes, definitely," Ohtani said when asked if he plans on pitching next year. "Looking forward to having a better season next year."
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