Shohei Ohtani won't pitch again this season, will focus solely on hitting for Dodgers

Shohei Ohtani returned to the Los Angeles Dodgers lineup Monday night after missing four games, but the two-way superstar confirmed he won't take the mound again this season.

"Most likely, no," Ohtani said through interpreter Will Ireton when asked about a potential return to pitching. "I'm gonna be focusing on hitting moving forward."

The decision ends Ohtani's 2026 pitching campaign after more than two months on the sidelines. He's been dealing with chronic inflammation in his left knee, along with bicep and hip issues that have limited his availability as a pitcher throughout the season.

Ohtani went 0-for-3 with a walk and two strikeouts in Monday's 6-3 victory over the Cincinnati Reds at Dodger Stadium. The performance continued his recent struggles at the plate, though he's still batting .279 with 30 home runs and 80 RBIs this season.

The announcement puts an end to speculation about whether the MVP candidate would attempt to return as a pitcher during the Dodgers' playoff push. Manager Dave Roberts had hinted in recent weeks that Ohtani's pitching return was unlikely, given the team's focus on keeping him healthy for their World Series aspirations.

This marks the first time since 2023 that Ohtani has been limited to designated hitter duties for an extended period. His 2024 season was entirely spent as a hitter while recovering from elbow surgery, but the Dodgers had hoped to utilize his two-way abilities more extensively in 2026.

The Dodgers are chasing their third consecutive World Series title, and keeping Ohtani available as their primary offensive weapon has become the priority. The team's recent acquisition of pitcher Tarik Skubal helps offset the loss of Ohtani's pitching contributions.

Despite the hitting struggles that led to his four-game absence, Ohtani remains a crucial piece of the Dodgers' championship puzzle. His 30 home runs and 80 RBIs represent solid production, even if they fall short of his typically dominant offensive numbers.

The knee inflammation that has sidelined Ohtani as a pitcher has been a persistent issue throughout the season. Rather than risk further injury or compromise his hitting ability, the Dodgers and Ohtani have chosen the conservative approach of shutting down his pitching for the remainder of 2026.