The Los Angeles Dodgers' star Shohei Ohtani faces growing doubt about his ability to contribute during the remainder of the 2026 MLB season due to a series of injuries. Ohtani has been dealing with left knee inflammation and right biceps soreness, which have already forced him off the mound after only 14 pitching starts and 85 2/3 innings. The team has progressively limited his workload, signaling that it is almost certain he will not pitch again this year, though there remains uncertainty about his hitting availability in the regular season and playoffs.

On the Dodgers Post podcast, beat reporters Dylan Hernandez and Jack Harris debated Ohtani’s status, with Hernandez firmly stating that Ohtani is essentially done for the season. He criticized the Dodgers’ public messaging as misleading, suggesting fans should rely on observable facts about Ohtani’s reduced activity rather than official team updates. Harris offered a more hopeful outlook that Ohtani might skip the regular season games but still be available for the postseason, an important distinction as the Dodgers eye their third consecutive championship.

The Dodgers have shown caution with other key pitchers like Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow, so their approach to carefully managing Ohtani is consistent with protecting player health for the long term. However, shutting down Ohtani completely would be surprising given his importance to the team’s championship aspirations. The club has not explicitly ruled out a postseason return for Ohtani but has effectively ceased his pitching duties for the remainder of the year.

With Ohtani’s physical issues mounting and his overall workload shrinking in late summer 2026, speculation about his season ending continues to grow. While official statements leave the door open for a comeback, the growing consensus from insiders and analysts is that his contributions this season are likely over. Fans will be watching closely to see if the Dodgers can balance protecting their star’s health while striving for postseason success.