Shohei Ohtani said on September 7, 2026, that he most likely will not pitch again during the 2026 season and will focus on hitting and baserunning for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Ohtani said his recovery concerns involve his arm and knee, adding that complete recovery is difficult during the season. He also noted that continuing to play is not the best way to recover, while his priority is playing well and focusing on each game.
Ohtani explained that he performed additional exercises to ensure he was in good condition and regain full fitness. He said the inability to pitch for the remainder of the 2026 season was disappointing, but he intends to use the season as a learning experience and motivation for the 2027 season.
Ohtani stated that he prioritized avoiding a worst-case scenario in which he could not play at all. He repeatedly acknowledged that he was unsure how to answer a question about the decision not to pitch again during the 2026 season.
Ohtani will focus on the present, finish the 2026 season strongly, and consider broader changes during the offseason.