Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani was officially placed on the injured list on Friday, prompting speculation about his availability for the 2026 postseason and beyond.
Months of ongoing biceps and knee issues have led the Dodgers to acknowledge that Ohtani is not operating at full capacity. Dylan Hernandez of The California Post suggested that the four-time MVP might miss the entire postseason. "He's done for the season," Hernandez stated on The Dodgers Post. "[The Dodgers] are just pretending he's not. He's done for like all intents and purposes."
Ohtani has not pitched for the Dodgers since July 3 and has been completely shut down as a pitcher. His performance at the plate has also been impacted by his injuries, with a recent statistic showing him going 6-for-52 since late August.
Regarding a potential return in 2026, Hernandez indicated a "decent chance that he won't" play. "I think that even if he does come back — you're counting on like a Kirk Gibson type moment…" he told Jack Harris, who offered a more optimistic outlook. Harris believes it's possible Ohtani could miss the regular season but is confident he will play in the playoffs. "There's no chance he's not going to play in the playoffs," Harris said.
The Dodgers have adopted a cautious approach with several star players dealing with injuries during the regular season, including Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow, prioritizing their health for October. However, the handling of Ohtani's situation has drawn scrutiny.
"With every other player, their MO is to be cautious, is to shut them down, is to play for October. And the fact that they couldn't do that with the most important player on their team is a failing either of the way they manage him, of the way the two sides work together," Harris commented. He suggested that the team may have created a "self-inflicted wound" through their management of Ohtani's injuries, noting their reluctance to publicly acknowledge the severity of his condition despite his struggles.
Hernandez advised fans to observe Ohtani's performance closely, stating, "The Dodgers have proven themselves to be horrible sources of information regarding Ohtani. So, don't listen to anything that they say. Use your eyes."