Shohei Ohtani expects to pitch for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2027. He made that clear Thursday night after a 6-4 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers ended the Dodgers’ season in a four-game National League Championship Series sweep.
The Orange County Register’s Bill Plunkett shared Ohtani’s response on X, formerly Twitter, after the 32-year-old phenom was asked at his locker whether he expects to pitch next season. He answered through an interpreter.
“Yes, definitely. And (Im) looking forward to having a better season next year.”
Plunkett also shared Ohtani’s answer through his interpreter in a separate post to the platform after the four-time MLB MVP was asked about potential offseason surgery or procedures to address this year’s injuries:
“Hard to tell at this point. It’s something that’s going to be analyzed, discussed over the off-season, and see if that’s a viable thing to do.”
The two-way superstar’s comments left his offseason treatment plans unresolved. While confident he will pitch next season, Ohtani did not specify whether he would undergo a procedure or offer a timetable for his return.
Shohei Ohtani’s injuries leave Dodgers with offseason questions
Ohtani made 14 pitching starts in 2026 and recorded a 1.79 ERA, but he did not take the mound after July 3. Left knee and right biceps issues complicated his attempts to resume pitching. In September, he said he expected to focus on hitting for the remainder of the season.
His three-run homer in the second inning gave the Dodgers a 4-0 lead Thursday, keeping their World Series three-peat hopes alive before Milwaukee rallied. No MLB team has won three consecutive championships since the New York Yankees accomplished the feat from 1998-2000.
The blast was Ohtani’s first home run since August 18, ending a career-long drought of 115 plate appearances across the regular season and playoffs. It ultimately could not prevent the Brewers from completing the sweep.
With the Dodgers’ season officially over, Ohtani can turn his attention toward addressing the injuries that limited his two-way contributions. His offseason medical decisions remain open, but his intention to pitch again in 2027 is clear.
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