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Dave Roberts is uncertain whether Shohei Ohtani will pitch again during the 2026 season as the Dodgers navigate a multiplying injury crisis, per staff at Dodgers Blue. The question of Ohtani’s pitching availability—separate from his status as a designated hitter—represents a new layer of concern as the organization grapples with his cascading health issues.

Ohtani has now missed three consecutive games with left knee soreness, right biceps discomfort, and neck trouble. What began as a biceps injury following the Cardinals series has metastasized into a full-body problem that’s forcing the team to consider scenarios the front office hoped to avoid. Ohtani arrived in Los Angeles as a two-way superstar with the capacity to contribute both as a hitter and as a returning pitcher. The biceps injury is particularly threatening to the pitching side of his game; a healthy biceps is essential for throwing. Roberts’ public uncertainty about whether Ohtani will take the mound again in 2026 signals the medical staff is preparing for a worst-case scenario where his season essentially ends if he goes to the IL.

For the Dodgers, Roberts’ candor is significant. Earlier in the week, the team was discussing selective rest and short-term availability timelines. Now the manager is openly questioning whether Ohtani will pitch again this season. That’s not a message the front office sends unless the injury picture has deteriorated significantly. Losing Ohtani’s offensive production for stretches is manageable; losing both his bat and his eventual pitching availability would be catastrophic. It would represent a total loss of his dual-role value heading into October and beyond.

The reality facing the Dodgers is increasingly clear: we’re likely heading into October without our most versatile piece available, either as a hitter or on the mound. We have Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, and Tarik Skubal as our primary starters. We have Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts, Kyle Tucker, and Teoscar Hernández in the lineup. It’s not what we envisioned when we acquired Ohtani, but it’s the reality we’re facing. The team’s ability to win October baseball without him will define whether 2026 becomes a championship season or a missed opportunity.

Source(s): Staff (Dodgers Blue) | First reported: September 6, 2026 5:20 PM UTC

God Bless and Go Dodgers