MLB1h ago
Ohtani Cleared for Two-Way Return as Dodgers Plan Pitching Comeback
No surgery required after season-long issues with knee and arm, with team focused on managing workload for full impact.
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Recovery and Expectations
Shohei Ohtani will not need an operation for his left knee or right arm troubles from the second half of the year. Rest was the only prescription from doctors, leaving his next season unaffected. He will prepare as a two-way player, and the club fully anticipates he will take the mound again. The situation is unique, with no prior examples available to guide decisions on balancing a full schedule while keeping him sharp for the postseason.
Season-End Struggles
Ohtani posted an 8-2 record and 1.79 ERA across his first 14 starts, recording 95 strikeouts against 26 walks in 85⅔ innings. His offensive line stood at.294/.390/.558 with 30 home runs and seven stolen bases through mid-August. Performance dropped sharply afterward, including 11 hits and 29 strikeouts in his final 70 at-bats, followed by a 4-for-22 mark with no extra-base hits in his first seven playoff games. The club was swept in the NLCS after he connected for one home run in Game 4.
Broader Roster Outlook
No adjustments are planned for the coaching staff. Several key players face free agency, including Tarik Skubal along with relievers Alex Vesia and Evan Phillips. Catcher Dalton Rushing will miss about nine months after an elbow procedure, while right-hander Will Klein is expected back for spring training following his own elbow work. The club is also looking to add younger position players to an older group. Managing Ohtani's pitching schedule to protect his hitting will remain the top priority.
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