Ohtani Says He Will Pitch Again in 2027

Offseason medical checks, a possible procedure, and a Dodgers workload plan will decide whether he can safely return as a two-way player.

Overview

Ohtani told reporters after the Dodgers’ season ended that he plans to pitch in 2027, answering “Yes, definitely” when asked about a return to the mound.
His pitching was halted after left-knee inflammation first surfaced on June 11 and his final start came on July 3, with a later 15-day injured list placement in September for right-biceps inflammation.
When he did pitch in 2026 he was dominant, compiling a 1.79 ERA with opponents hitting .179 across 85 2/3 innings and an 8-2 record.
Ohtani’s late-season health problems coincided with a sharp offensive slide in October, when he finished the playoffs 5-for-26 (.192) and the Dodgers were swept in the NLCS by Milwaukee.
The Dodgers now face a key offseason choice: authorize tests or surgery, set a pitching workload that protects his hitting and playoff value, and plan under a timeline that could be shortened if the collective bargaining agreement talks delay the start of next season.