Shohei Ohtani intends to continue his two-way career with the Los Angeles Dodgers next season, although his offseason plans remain uncertain as he deals with multiple injuries.

Following the Dodgers’ elimination from the postseason, Ohtani told Katie Woo of The Athletic that it is difficult to determine whether he will need surgery on his left knee or right biceps. While the possibility of an offseason procedure remains unresolved, the four-time MVP has made his intentions clear: He plans to pitch again in 2027.

The uncertainty surrounding his health will be an important storyline for Los Angeles as the organization begins preparing for another season. Ohtani remains one of baseball’s most valuable players, and his ability to contribute as both a hitter and a pitcher makes his recovery particularly important to the Dodgers’ plans.

Ohtani’s final months of the 2026 season were interrupted by injuries that limited his availability on the mound and affected his performance at the plate.

A left knee injury prevented him from pitching after early July, while right biceps inflammation later forced him onto the Injured List in September. Those issues complicated his preparation for the postseason and raised questions about how much the injuries affected his overall performance.

Ohtani continued playing when available, but his offensive production declined late in the season. He also struggled to find consistency during the Dodgers’ postseason run, making his health an even greater concern following the team’s elimination.

Now, the focus shifts to determining whether either injury requires surgery and how that decision could affect his preparation for 2027.

The Dodgers will need to evaluate the best approach for getting Ohtani healthy without unnecessarily jeopardizing his availability for next season. Until the organization has a clearer picture of his medical situation, the timing of his return to pitching will remain uncertain.

Despite the injuries, Ohtani’s plans to resume pitching indicate that he does not intend to abandon his two-way role in the immediate future.

The Dodgers have consistently managed his workload while navigating the challenges associated with allowing one player to contribute as both a starting pitcher and an everyday hitter. Maintaining that balance will remain essential as the organization works through his recovery.

President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman previously acknowledged the difficulty of managing Ohtani’s workload, describing his responsibilities as unprecedented and noting that the organization continues to learn how to handle the demands of his role.

That challenge is unlikely to disappear next season. The Dodgers must account for the physical demands of pitching while ensuring Ohtani remains available to contribute offensively throughout the year.

His recovery could also influence how Los Angeles approaches its pitching staff during the offseason. With the organization needing to assess its rotation for 2027, having Ohtani available to start would provide another option. However, the Dodgers cannot assume he will be ready to take on a full pitching workload until more is known about his injuries.

For now, the next step is determining whether surgery is necessary and establishing a recovery plan. Ohtani’s commitment to pitching next season offers some clarity about his intentions, but the medical decisions ahead will ultimately determine how his return unfolds.