Shohei Ohtani will likely miss the remainder of the 2026 season on the mound as the Los Angeles Dodgers prioritize his return to the designated hitter role. Manager Dave Roberts downplayed the idea of a mound return after Ohtani suffered a physical setback during his rehabilitation, sidelining him for four consecutive games.
The dream of a full two-way workload for Shohei Ohtani in 2026 has hit a wall. Over two months have passed since Ohtani last threw a pitch in a major league game, and Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has downplayed any chance of a mound return before the regular season or postseason concludes.
What was initially billed as a routine ramp-up has unraveled amid a cascade of nagging physical ailments. Ohtani has not thrown since August 28, when a scheduled bullpen session in Detroit—meant to be his final test before starting an actual game—was abruptly cut short due to discomfort in his right knee and a sore right biceps.
The Calendar and the Math Behind Ohtani’s Pitching Shutdown
Roberts did not formally announce an outright shutdown of the superstar’s pitching program, but he acknowledged the reality of the situation to reporters, including Bill Plunkett and Fabian Ardaya.
“Not officially, but obviously, if you’re looking at the calendar, how much he’s thrown in the last week, I think we can all do the math.”
Dave Roberts, Dodgers manager
The physical toll on the 32-year-old superstar has compounded across the summer. After opening the year looking formidable on the mound—maintaining a stellar 1.79 ERA across 14 starts—Ohtani has not pitched in a big league game since July 3. His attempts to return saw him abandon pylo ball work and other throwing progressions entirely as his body signaled distress, including left knee soreness, a right biceps issue, and recent neck stiffness that flared up after a four-strikeout performance.
Balancing Hitter Health With Postseason Rotation Depth
The physical demands of trying to balance a dual-threat role while managing a moving target of injuries visibly impacted Ohtani’s bat. Since restarting his throwing progression on August 8, Ohtani has hit just .204 with 32 strikeouts over a stretch that saw his overall offensive dominance dip.
To protect their designated hitter, the Dodgers kept Ohtani out of the starting lineup for four straight games. Roberts noted that while Ohtani felt well after indoor batting practice, his availability remains day-to-day.
“Until he’s written in the lineup, we don’t know 100%, but I’m hopeful.”
Dave Roberts, Dodgers manager
Placing Ohtani on the injured list was weighed by the front office, but because two-way players must follow the 15-day minimum IL stint designated for pitchers rather than the 10-day position player rules, the club elected to manage his rest days manually to avoid an extended absence. Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes echoed that the team wants to avoid losing his bat.
Individual Honors and What Lies Ahead for the Dodgers
The prolonged absence from the mound and recent offensive slump have also dramatically reshaped the National League MVP race. According to observers like USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, Ohtani’s bid for another MVP award has effectively closed, with Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong pulling ahead on the strength of an 8.6 bWAR campaign.
Attention now shifts to the immediate return of Ohtani to the active batting order. The Dodgers begin a three-game series against the Cincinnati Reds on Monday, where management hopes to slot their marquee hitter back into the lineup if he clears his final pre-game evaluations without a setback.
