Los Angeles Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman made some very clear statements about Shohei Ohtani’s health and usage.
This season, Ohtani battled left knee, right bicep, and neck discomfort for most of the second half and into the postseason.
According to Friedman, Ohtani will not undergo offseason surgery and will pitch again in 2027, though his pitching schedule remains unclear.
Still, the Dodgers expected him to be ready for Spring Training whenever it arrives, either in February or later.
“He’s resting. He got assessed. He had a lot of different stuff; his knee was bothering him. An unfortunate game of whack-a-mole, the bicep area,” Friedman said to Dodgers Nation and media.
Very, very definitive statements from Dodgers president Andrew Friedman:
— Nelson Espinal (@nelson__espinal) October 21, 2026
Surgery is "not on the table," and "fully expect him to pitch next year."
Looks like Ohtani will be a full go for 2027. pic.twitter.com/zKnKBY56os
As for his future as a two-way player for a full season, Friedman didn’t commit to a decision either way.
“I don’t know the answer to that. It’s too early, it’s about us putting our heads together,” Friedman added to Dodgers Nation and media. .
With no surgery planned, Ohtani will likely lean heavily on rest to help him heal, something he has pointed to as the main driver of his health progress.
Additionally, he will need to assess what changes he can make, usage-wise or mechanically, to better hold up and protect himself at the plate.
Could Shohei Ohtani have changed the NLCS?
During the regular season, Ohtani tried to power through his injuries and keep playing before eventually going on the IL down the line.
Friedman, in a what-if game, was asked about the possible effect an earlier IL stint could have had on his health down the line.
“I don’t know the answer to that. The injuries started in early July through mid August. He was still the concensus MVP,” he explained.
“I’ve joked about, some people have taken this out of context, he is awesome about doing what it takes for the team to win.”
The upshot for the Dodgers and Ohtani is that he gets much-needed rest heading into 2027 and beyond, without another lengthy October run and a quick turnaround to February.