The Los Angeles Dodgers have already secured a spot in the 2026 MLB playoffs.
But their biggest question heading into October isn’t whether they’ll get there.
It’s what version of Shohei Ohtani will be available when they do.
Ohtani is currently on the injured list with lingering problems in his left knee and right biceps. He has also dealt with a neck issue during a difficult stretch late in the season.
The good news?
The Dodgers still expect him to return as a hitter before the regular season ends.
The bad news?
His return to the mound appears to be essentially over for 2026.
When Can Shohei Ohtani Return?
Ohtani was placed on the 15-day injured list on September 11, retroactive to September 8.
That means the earliest he can be activated is September 23.
He resumed his hitting progression on September 15, taking swings off a tee in Los Angeles.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Ohtani felt good afterward and described the session as a positive step.
The Dodgers therefore remain hopeful that Ohtani can play in several regular-season games before the postseason begins.
That would give him a small but important window to get his timing back at the plate before October.
Will Ohtani Pitch in the 2026 Playoffs?
At this point, it appears highly unlikely.
Ohtani has not pitched since July 3 because of his left knee issue.
His attempt to build back up as a pitcher was later complicated by problems with his right biceps.
Ohtani himself was asked whether he expected to pitch again this season.
His answer was straightforward:
“Most likely, no.”
He said his focus would shift toward hitting.
MLB’s current Dodgers injury report now lists his expected return as September 23 at the earliest as a hitter and 2027 as a pitcher.
So while the Dodgers have not built their postseason plan around another Ohtani pitching appearance, his bat could still play a major role.
Why Would the Dodgers Shut Down Ohtani the Pitcher?
Because the risk may now outweigh the reward.
Ohtani was excellent when healthy on the mound this season.
He posted a 1.79 ERA across 14 starts.
But his physical problems appeared to become more difficult as his pitching workload increased.
His offense suffered during that stretch as well.
After beginning a throwing program on August 8, Ohtani hit just .198 over a 96-at-bat stretch with a .690 OPS and 34 strikeouts.
For a Dodgers team preparing for another World Series run, losing Ohtani’s bat entirely would be far worse than losing a few potential postseason innings from him on the mound.
The calculation becomes simple:
Protect the hitter instead of risking both the hitter and pitcher.
The Dodgers Need Ohtani’s Bat More Than His Arm
Ohtani still has 30 home runs this season despite the injuries.
And even with a difficult second half, he remains one of the most dangerous hitters in baseball.
The Dodgers also aren’t exactly desperate for another starting pitcher.
Their postseason roster already includes elite pitching talent.
That gives Los Angeles the luxury of making a conservative decision with Ohtani.
Rather than forcing him through a rushed pitching buildup, the Dodgers can focus on getting his swing healthy enough to impact October.
There Is One Problem: Time
Even if Ohtani returns on September 23, there won’t be much regular season left.
He would have only a handful of games to rediscover his timing before postseason baseball begins.
And this isn’t simply about being physically healthy enough to stand in the batter’s box.
Ohtani needs to see major-league pitching again.
He needs to regain his timing.
And the Dodgers need to know whether his knee and biceps can handle everyday at-bats without another setback.
That makes every game between his return and the postseason unusually important.
The Dodgers Have Already Clinched — So Why Take the Risk?
Los Angeles clinched a postseason berth on September 14.
That changes the equation.
The Dodgers don’t need Ohtani to rush back simply to qualify for October.
Their real goal is much bigger.
Los Angeles is chasing a third consecutive World Series championship.
That means the smartest version of Ohtani management may be the least exciting one:
No pitching.
No rushed comeback.
Get the bat healthy.
And hope he is ready when the games matter most.
The Biggest Ohtani Question Has Changed
For much of the season, Dodgers fans wondered:
When will Shohei Ohtani pitch again?
That question may have finally been answered.
Probably not until 2027.
Now the real question is:
Can Ohtani get healthy enough at the plate to still change the 2026 postseason?
The Dodgers don’t need two-way Ohtani right now.
They may simply need one healthy version of him.
And with October approaching fast, getting that version back could matter more than anything he could have done on the mound.