Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani has admitted to playing through two injuries as he tries to get back on the mound.
Ohtani battles wear that most players do not contend with, since he hits in the lineup five times a week and makes a weekly start of 85-100 pitches.
Now at 30, Ohtani is no spring chicken, and he is years into a baseball career that has seen him play at this level since his teenage years.
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However, for most of the season, Ohtani looked like he was going to have a historic season, posting an amazing ERA and producing a tick below his best as a hitter, but still at the top of MLB.
Jul 28, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) looks on during the fourth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Liang-Imagn Images
However, Ohtani is proving human, as he has dealt with a knee injury and a biceps problem, both of which have plagued him over the past few months and seem to continue to plague the superstar.
Ohtani’s bicep history
Ohtani, during his last pitching start against the San Diego Padres, left the game after throwing 110 pitches with right bicep tightness.
He dealt with the injury earlier in the season, but it subsided shortly after. However, Ohtani has revealed that after his bullpen session in Philadelphia last Wednesday, he experienced a similar sensation.
Jul 28, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) runs after hitting a double during the ninth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Liang-Imagn Images
On Tuesday, after the Dodgers’ loss to the Mariners, Ohtani revealed that he is dealing with both.
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“My bicep’s not 100%. Similar issue with the knee, do we consider pushing this? It is still July so I think the conversation would be a little different if we’re in August or September,” Ohtani said.
Where do Ohtani and the Dodgers go from here?
According to manager Dave Roberts, Ohtani will still hit in the lineup as long as his bicep and knee do not get any worse as a result of it.
“I haven’t heard anything about not being in the lineup, not wanting to play. Until I hear otherwise, he’s going to be in the lineup,” Roberts said.
Ohtani has stated that both effects are due to his pitching rather than his hitting. When it comes to the postseason, the Dodgers still expect Ohtani to pitch as of late July.
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“If the knee continues to get better, the arm continues to feel better, I’d expect him to pitch,” Roberts said.
With Ohtani, since he wants to play so much, he will stay in the lineup and continue to pitch bullpen sessions as he sees fit.
The Dodgers will be careful with him, but as the postseason nears and the team needs him to be fully ramped up, expect him to push to play.
After the season, Ohtani and the team will need to assess his viability as a pitcher and determine whether surgery is needed to mitigate any issues.
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