Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani strikes out as Milwaukee Brewers catcher William Contreras catches the ball during the first inning of Game 4 of baseball's National League Championship Series between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Los Angeles Dodgers, Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

By The Canadian Press

Dodgers say Shohei Ohtani’s knee and biceps injuries require offseason rest, not surgery

Oct 21, 2026 | 8:03 PM

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Shohei Ohtani needs offseason rest, not surgery, for knee and biceps injuries that led to his worst offensive numbers since he joined the Los Angeles Dodgers before the 2024 season.

“It was just an unfortunate game of whack-a-mole,” Andrew Friedman, president of baseball operations, said Wednesday. “The knee got to a better spot, and then just kind of the biceps area was bothering him. Some of that would calm down for some period, some of that would get re-irritated. It was just a lot of different things he was trying to contend with at once.”

Ohtani and the Dodgers are equally enthused about him returning to two-way duties next season. What both sides need to figure out is how to keep him healthy while hitting and pitching into October.

“I’m not only expecting him to pitch,” Friedman said, “we’re excited about him pitching.”

Dodgers say Shohei Ohtani’s knee and biceps injuries require offseason rest, not surgery

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