Ohtani Confirms Intent to Pitch Again by 2027

WHO:

MLB.com - Shohei Ohtani, 32 years old, is a two-way player for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

MLB.com - Will Ireton is Ohtani's interpreter.

MLB.com - Tarik Skubal is identified as the top player on the free-agent market.

MLB.com - Miguel Rojas, Kiké Hernández, Evan Phillips, Alex Vesia, Blake Treinen, Eric Lauer, Kris Bubic, and Brusdar Graterol are also impending free agents for the Dodgers.

WHAT:

MLB.com - Ohtani stated, "It's something that's going to be analyzed, discussed over the offseason, and see if that's a viable thing to do," regarding his potential offseason procedure.

MLB.com - Ohtani's injuries, including left knee inflammation and right biceps inflammation, compromised his ability to pitch and affected his production at the plate.

MLB.com - Ohtani expressed dissatisfaction with his pitching performance, stating, "[I'm] not quite satisfied with how things shaped up on the pitching side at the end of the year."

MLB.com - Ohtani stated, "It's something that's going to be analyzed, discussed over the offseason, and see if that's a viable thing to do," regarding his potential offseason procedure.

MLB.com - Ohtani's ERA in 2026 was 1.79, and he limited hitters to a .179 average over 85 2/3 innings pitched.

MLB.com - Ohtani allowed 12 earned runs in 24 2/3 innings over his final four starts in 2026, compared to only five earned runs in 61 innings prior to that point.

MLB.com - Ohtani's minimum-length stay on the injured list in September marked his first trip to the IL in nearly three years.

MLB.com - Ohtani expressed dissatisfaction with his pitching performance, stating, "[I'm] not quite satisfied with how things shaped up on the pitching side at the end of the year."

MLB.com - Ohtani confirmed he "definitely" plans to pitch in 2027.

MLB.com - Ohtani stated, "And looking forward to having a better season next year," confirming his intention to pitch in 2027.

MLB.com - Ohtani's path back to pitching may include an offseason procedure, which he described as "hard to tell at this point."

MLB.com - Ohtani allowed 12 earned runs in 24 2/3 innings over his final four starts in 2026, compared to only five earned runs in 61 innings prior to that point.

MLB.com - Ohtani stated, "This year, I haven't pitched, and I haven't pitched in the postseason," expressing his feelings about his performance.

MLB.com - Ohtani's ERA in 2026 was 1.79, and he limited hitters to a .179 average over 85 2/3 innings pitched.

MLB.com - Ohtani allowed 12 earned runs in 24 2/3 innings over his final four starts in 2026, compared to only five earned runs in 61 innings prior to that point.

MLB.com - Ohtani's minimum-length stay on the injured list in September marked his first trip to the IL in nearly three years.

MLB.com - Ohtani batted sixth in Game 3 of the NL Championship Series before moving back into his customary leadoff spot and hitting a home run in Game 4.

MLB.com - Ohtani allowed 12 earned runs in 24 2/3 innings over his final four starts in 2026, compared to only five earned runs in 61 innings prior to that point.

MLB.com - Ohtani's minimum-length stay on the injured list in September marked his first trip to the IL in nearly three years.

MLB.com - Ohtani stated, "[I'm] not quite satisfied with how things shaped up on the pitching side at the end of the year."

MLB.com - Ohtani stated, "Yes, definitely," when asked if he plans to pitch in 2027, expressing his desire to have a better season next year.

MLB.com - Ohtani mentioned that it is "hard to tell" if his path back to pitching will include some type of offseason procedure, indicating that it will be analyzed and discussed during the offseason.

MLB.com - Ohtani confirmed he "definitely" plans to pitch in 2027.

MLB.com - Ohtani had a 1.79 ERA and limited hitters to a .179 average over 85 2/3 innings when he pitched in 2026.

MLB.com - Ohtani allowed 12 earned runs in 24 2/3 innings over his final four starts in 2026.

MLB.com - Ohtani's minimum-length stay on the injured list in September marked his first trip to the IL in nearly three years.

Newsweek - Ohtani revealed his plans for pitching after the Dodgers were swept in the ALCS.

WHERE:

MLB.com - The Dodgers are based in Los Angeles.

WHEN:

MLB.com - Ohtani last pitched on July 3, 2026.

MLB.com - Ohtani's injuries began affecting his performance on June 11, 2026.

MLB.com - The Dodgers lost to the Brewers in Game 4 of the NL Championship Series.

WHY:

MLB.com - Ohtani expressed a desire to return to pitching and hitting, stating, "Yes, definitely," when asked about his plans for 2027.

MLB.com - Ohtani expressed dissatisfaction with his pitching performance, stating, "[I'm] not quite satisfied with how things shaped up on the pitching side at the end of the year."

MLB.com - Ohtani expressed a desire to return to pitching and hitting, stating, "Yes, definitely," when asked about his plans for 2027.

MLB.com - Ohtani expressed dissatisfaction with how his pitching performance shaped up at the end of the year, stating, "[I'm] not quite satisfied with how things shaped up on the pitching side at the end of the year."

MLB.com - Ohtani's injuries, including left knee inflammation and right biceps inflammation, compromised his ability to pitch and affected his production at the plate.

HOW:

MLB.com - Ohtani plans to analyze and discuss his treatment and training program during the offseason to prepare for the next season.

Shohei Ohtani has indicated that he is considering an offseason procedure to address his injuries, which have included left knee inflammation and right biceps inflammation that impacted both his pitching and hitting performance. He expressed dissatisfaction with how his pitching shaped up at the end of the year, saying he is "not quite satisfied" with his results. Looking ahead, Ohtani confirmed his desire to return to both pitching and hitting in 2027, responding with a definitive "Yes, definitely" when asked about his plans.