Ohtani Won’t Need Surgery as Dodgers Reassess His Two-Way Workload for 2027

Shohei Ohtani does not need surgery for his right biceps and left knee injuries, Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said on October 21. The club expects him to be healthy by the start of the 2027 season and anticipates his return to pitching, although a detailed two-way plan remains undecided. Ohtani hit 30 home runs with an .889 OPS this season but did not pitch after July 3. His offensive production declined around the time he resumed his throwing progression in August, and he went on the injured list in September. He finished the postseason 5-for-26, batting .192 with one extra-base hit: a three-run homer in NLCS Game 4. The Dodgers’ priority is to have Ohtani ready to contribute as both a pitcher and hitter during the 2027 postseason. One possibility under consideration is delaying his entry into the starting rotation, even if he is healthy enough to pitch on Opening Day. Friedman said the club must carefully coordinate both workloads, including how to manage the first month if Ohtani pitches from the outset. Clear communication about his physical condition will also matter. This season highlighted the difficulty of fully assessing how he felt while he remained determined to compete. Ohtani has said he will review his treatment and training program. Avoiding surgery is a positive development, but his pitching return date, schedule and planned rest as a hitter have yet to be established.