Shohei Ohtani Avoids Surgery and Plans 2027 Mound Return

Clear Bill of Health for 2027

Shohei Ohtani will not need surgery on his left knee, right arm, or any other issue from late in the season. Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman confirmed the news on Wednesday, noting that doctors simply prescribed rest.

The Dodgers expect Ohtani to prepare for the 2027 season as a two way player. Friedman made it clear that the club plans on having him back on the mound. He said the team is excited about him pitching, though managing that workload across a full season remains a major challenge.

A Tough Finish to a Demanding Year

Ohtani produced strong pitching numbers early in the year. He posted 8 wins and 2 losses with a 1.79 ERA and 95 strikeouts over 14 starts. However, persistent pain in his left knee and right bicep kept him off the mound after July 3.

Those physical issues eventually affected his swing. Ohtani finished the regular season with 29 strikeouts and only 11 hits over his final 70 at bats. He struggled through the playoffs, going 4 for 22 without an extra base hit in his first seven postseason games. A home run in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series was not enough to prevent a sweep by the Milwaukee Brewers, who ended the Dodgers season with a 6-4 win on Oct. 15.

Dodgers Look Ahead to Next Season

At age 32, Ohtani was attempting his first full two way campaign in three years. Ohtani said through an interpreter that he was not satisfied with how the pitching side went and plans to rethink his treatment and training routines.

Friedman acknowledged that offensive slumps hurt the team, but the entire lineup struggled. The offense combined for a .590 OPS in the playoffs and went 4 for 27 with runners in scoring position during the NLCS.

The Dodgers are also balancing other major roster decisions. Pitcher Tarik Skubal is heading to free agency, along with relievers Alex Vesia and Evan Phillips. Manager Dave Roberts and his coaching staff will return, while the front office works out the best plan to keep Ohtani productive on both sides of the ball.