Ohtani returns to Dodgers lineup with pitching future uncertain
Shohei Ohtani has resumed duties as the Dodgers’ designated hitter after missing four games, saying he will most likely not pitch again in 2026.
Shohei Ohtani returned to the Los Angeles Dodgers’ lineup as designated hitter on Monday after missing four games, but his latest comments suggest the club will manage him as a hitter for the remainder of the season.
Asked whether he would pitch again in 2026, Ohtani said, through his interpreter, “most likely, no”, adding that he would focus on hitting moving forward. CBS Sports reported that he has not pitched since 3 July while dealing with knee and biceps issues, alongside neck soreness.
Ohtani went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts and a walk in his return. He said his priority was avoiding a worsening of his injuries that could prevent him from playing altogether.
He was batting .277/.380/.522 with 30 home runs and 80 runs batted in, while his pitching record stood at 8-2 with a 1.79 earned-run average. His expected withdrawal from pitching remains qualified rather than definitive.
The Dodgers are pursuing a third consecutive World Series title, with Ohtani set to contribute through the lineup as the club moves towards the final stages of the season.
