Shohei Ohtani's Return to the Mound Stays on Hold as Dodgers Prioritize His Knee

Article

Shohei Ohtani's return to pitching in 2026 remains without a confirmed timeline, as the Dodgers continue to prioritize a full recovery of his left knee over a quick return to the mound. He last pitched in a game on July 3.

What Is Confirmed

Ohtani has missed recent scheduled starts due to renewed soreness in his left knee, and has also indicated his right biceps is not fully at 100 percent. The Dodgers have stated they want the knee fully healed before he takes the mound again, rather than committing to a specific return date.

Despite the pitching pause, Ohtani has continued to play regularly as designated hitter, including a two-run home run, a double, and a run scored in a recent game against the Boston Red Sox.

What Remains Unclear

No specific date has been set for Ohtani's next pitching appearance, and reports describe the situation as something the team is managing on a longer-term basis rather than day-to-day. Fans should treat any specific return date circulating online as unconfirmed until the Dodgers make an official announcement.

What To Know

Ohtani's two-way status is central to his global appeal, so any uncertainty about his pitching return is closely tracked by fans in both Japan and the US, and getting the current, unresolved status right — rather than assuming a return date — matters for accurate coverage.

What Fans Are Saying

• "As long as he keeps hitting like this, I can wait for the pitching return."
• "Better they take it slow with the knee than rush him back and lose him for longer."
• "Two-run homer against the Red Sox while all this is going on is just so Ohtani."

Original Japanese

• 「これだけ打ってくれるなら、投手復帰は焦らなくていいと思う」
• 「膝を急がせて長引かせるより、じっくり治した方がいい」
• 「こんな状況でも2ラン打つの、本当に大谷らしい」

Easy Japanese

大谷翔平選手は、左ひざの張りがあり、しばらく投手として登板していません。打者としては引き続き試合に出ていますが、投手にいつ戻るかはまだ決まっていません。