Shohei Ohtani Addresses Potential Offseason Surgery After Dodgers Elimination

Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Shohei Ohtani Addresses Potential Offseason Surgery After Dodgers Elimination

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Pardon Joshua | Last updated Oct 16, 2026 10:00 AM ET

Shohei Ohtani said it is “hard to tell” whether he will need knee or biceps surgery this offseason after the Los Angeles Dodgers were eliminated from the postseason. However, the two-way star also confirmed that he plans to pitch again next season, according to Katie Woo of The Athletic.

The update leaves questions about Ohtani’s offseason recovery as the Dodgers begin evaluating their roster following their postseason exit. Whether he requires surgery could affect his preparation for the 2027 season, although no decision has been confirmed.

Ohtani’s plans to return to the mound remain an important part of his future with Los Angeles. The Dodgers will need to assess his health before determining how to manage his workload next season.

Shohei Ohtani said it is “hard to tell” if he’ll need either knee or bicep surgery this offseason. He also said he plans to pitch again next season. #Dodgers
— Katie Woo (@katiejwoo) October 16, 2026

Ohtani dealt with right biceps discomfort and left knee inflammation during the 2026 season. The injuries limited his pitching availability, and he had not made a start since July 3. He finished with an 8-2 record and a 1.79 ERA across 14 starts.

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

The Dodgers’ season ended Thursday with a 6-4 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 4 of the NLCS. Milwaukee completed the sweep, ending Los Angeles’ bid for a third consecutive World Series championship. Ohtani hit a three-run homer in the final game, but the Dodgers could not protect their early lead.

Ohtani’s health will be one of the Dodgers’ key offseason concerns. The team must determine whether he needs surgery before mapping out his preparation for 2027, when he hopes to return to his two-way role. For now, Ohtani has made his intention to pitch again clear, but the timing of his recovery and whether a procedure is necessary remain unresolved.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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