A Blow for the Dodgers: Shohei Ohtani Won't Pitch Again in 2026. What's Going On with the Player?

S hohei Ohtani has once again put the Los Angeles Dodgers on alert after acknowledging that he will most likely not pitch again for the remainder of the 2026 season.

The Japanese player is dealing with various physical ailments, including a left knee injury that has complicated his ability to continue pitching. His last start was on July 3, and since then, his anticipated return to the mound has become a race against time.

From an unstoppable star to a race against the clock

Ohtani had managed to return to pitching after his recovery and quickly proved that he was still capable of competing at the highest level. But physical discomfort ultimately derailed his plans once again, and his last start was on July 3.

The problem is no small matter, as he is not only dealing with knee issues but also with problems in his right bicep and neck.

Faced with this situation, the Dodgers appear to have opted for a conservative approach: protecting their star player rather than forcing a return that could worsen his injuries and discomfort.

The loss to the team is significant; in his 14 starts this season, the pitcher posted an 8-2 record with a 1.79 ERA —numbers that once again placed him among the baseball players capable of making a major difference in decisive games.

The good news for the Los Angeles team is that they can still count on Ohtani’s offensive power, as he is an excellent hitter with 30 home runs and 80 RBIs, keeping his ability to change the course of a game at its peak.

The phenomenon hasn’t disappeared. He’ll just have to wait. And if everything goes as the Dodgers hope, Ohtani’s true return as a pitcher will come in 2027, with an even bigger mission: to once again become a full-fledged two-way player.