Dodgers plan for Shohei Ohtani to pitch in 2027 without surgery

The Los Angeles Dodgers, under president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman, expect Shohei Ohtani to pitch in 2027 without needing surgery after managing knee and biceps injuries during the 2026 season. Ohtani's batting performance declined late in the year, but he previously excelled with a 1.79 ERA over 14 starts. The team is considering three options for Ohtani's usage: having him pitch all year, starting his season late as a pitcher, or using him as a reliever. They aim to maintain his health while maximizing his dual-role capabilities as both a pitcher and hitter.

• 9:06 PMCBS MLB — Dodgers 'fully expect' Shohei Ohtani to pitch in 2027, and they have three paths to take with two-way star