Shohei Ohtani, the Los Angeles Dodgers' two-way baseball superstar, is currently grappling with significant health concerns that are impacting his performance and availability. Since July 3, Ohtani has not pitched due to ongoing left knee pain that necessitated drainage over the All-Star break, coupled with new discomfort in his right bicep. While he continues to play as a designated hitter, his pitching timeline remains uncertain, causing a sharp deviation from his previous Cy Young Award contender status this season.

At the plate, Ohtani is experiencing his worst offensive stretch in nearly six years, hitting just .238 with a single home run since the All-Star break. Despite this slump, he remains the favorite to claim the National League Most Valuable Player Award for the third straight year, although Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong has significantly narrowed the betting gap by matching Ohtani’s offensive output and surpassing his wins above replacement (WAR) with superior defensive contributions.

The Dodgers have been cautious with Ohtani’s rehabilitation, focusing on preparing him to pitch in the October postseason rather than rushing his recovery. Manager Dave Roberts acknowledges a decline in the quality of Ohtani’s contact since the break, reflecting ongoing struggles at the plate. Ohtani himself has emphasized a patient approach, noting that the urgency of his return would intensify only if the calendar advanced into August or September.

Ohtani’s difficulties are part of a broader pattern affecting MLB’s marquee players in 2026, with stars like Aaron Judge sidelined by injury since late May and reigning Cy Young winners Tarik Skubal and Paul Skenes also battling health and performance issues. These challenges among top-tier talent have significant implications for league attendance, viewership, and merchandise sales, highlighting the Dodgers’ critical need to manage Ohtani’s health carefully to maintain their championship ambitions.