Dodgers' Ohtani to Prepare for Two-Way Return in 2027 Without Surgery

Major League Baseball (MLB) superstar Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers will prepare for a two-way return in 2027 without undergoing surgery.

Andrew Friedman, president of baseball operations for the Dodgers, stated during a season-wrap-up press conference held on the 22nd at Dodger Stadium in California that Ohtani will not require surgery, adding, "I am confident that he will pitch as a pitcher next year."

Ohtani struggled with pain in his left knee and right biceps starting from the late first half of the season.

Medical staff reportedly recommended rest for both areas without the need for surgery.

While the Dodgers expect Ohtani to be fully healthy at the start of the 2027 season, the club acknowledged that it remains uncertain when he will resume full-time two-way play.

The Dodgers are expected to strategize during the offseason to ensure Ohtani is physically conditioned to play as both a pitcher and a hitter seamlessly into the postseason.

The Dodgers sought their third consecutive World Series title, but their season ended early after being swept 4-0 by the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Championship Series.

Ohtani, who underwent elbow surgery in September 2023, played exclusively as a hitter in 2024, his first year after transferring to the Dodgers.

He resumed two-way play in 2025 and delivered stellar performances in the World Series.

This year, due to left knee discomfort, he made his final mound appearance on June 4 against the San Diego Padres and did not pitch afterward.

His pitching record stood at 8 wins, 2 losses, and a 1.79 ERA.

Although he continued to play regularly as a hitter, biceps pain limited him to a .275 batting average, 30 home runs, and 81 RBIs.

Both his batting average and home run totals marked his lowest figures in four years.

His batting slump continued into the postseason, where he managed a .192 batting average with 1 home run and 3 RBIs.

Ohtani remarked, "Looking back on this entire season, I haven't fully processed what I learned and what lessons I gained yet. For next season, I will review my treatment and training programs from scratch and figure out what approach is best."

MLB.com reported that the Dodgers' priority for next year is utilizing Ohtani as both a pitcher and a hitter in the postseason, noting that the team is considering options such as omitting him from the regular-season starting rotation.

The plan aims to manage Ohtani's stamina, as he has never previously completed a full season with two-way play extending all the way through the postseason.

During his days with the Los Angeles Angels in 2022, he pitched 166 innings with 15 wins and contributed 34 home runs and 95 RBIs as a hitter, marking his busiest season as a two-way player.

Unlike the Dodgers, who must contend for a championship every year, the Angels were perennially rebuilding and did not reach the postseason in 2022.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.