The Los Angeles Dodgers’ bid for a third consecutive World Series fell short this season after a sweep by the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Championship Series. Central to discussions about the team’s performance has been Shohei Ohtani, the star two-way player whose season was marred by injuries impacting both his pitching and hitting, notably sidelining him from postseason pitching. The Dodgers’ president of baseball operations, Andrew Friedman, admitted that Ohtani's offensive issues played a role in the early playoff exit but confirmed that Ohtani will not need surgery and is expected to pitch again next year.

Despite the optimism from Dodgers management, there is growing debate about whether Ohtani should continue his dual role as a hitter and pitcher. The strain of pitching, paired with the demands of hitting, appears to be taking a physical toll on Ohtani, now 32 years old and entering his 13th professional season. Some critics, including noted Los Angeles Times columnist Bill Plaschke, have called for the Dodgers to end Ohtani’s pitching assignments to preserve his health and offensive productivity. Plaschke has even suggested that if Ohtani refuses to stop pitching, the team should consider trading him, a move that underscores concerns about his workload impacting his performance and longevity.

Ohtani’s 2026 stats showed his talent remains elite, with an 8-2 pitching record and a 1.79 ERA over nearly 86 innings, alongside a solid .275 batting average and 30 home runs in 135 games. However, the injury interruptions and fatigue appeared more evident as the season concluded, sparking crucial discussions for the Dodgers’ offseason strategy. Ultimately, managing his health and workload will be a key challenge as the organization aims to build a roster capable of another title run.

Although there is notable public commentary urging drastic changes, the Dodgers see a trade of Ohtani as almost unthinkable given his status as one of baseball’s most valuable and popular players. The franchise is leaning toward maintaining his two-way role, banking on his continued ability to contribute significantly on both sides. How the Dodgers navigate Ohtani’s future workload will be one of the most important decisions of their offseason as they seek to balance his health and maximize his impact heading into 2027.