MLB》Shohei Ohtani’s injury-related battle affects the Dodgers’ ability. US media hopes the team will do load management

Shohei Ohtani. (Reuters)

[Sports Center/Comprehensive Report] The Dodgers were swept by the Brewers in the National League Championship Series this year, preventing the "Cosmic Dodgers" from winning three consecutive championships. "Los Angeles Times" writer Mirjam Swanson wrote an article stating that Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani was troubled by knee and biceps injuries throughout the season. Whether it is for the Dodgers or the entire baseball world, we hope that Ohtani and the team can find a reasonable load management plan and develop a feasible injury management strategy.

Shohei Ohtani started the season this year with two hits. He did not plate again due to left knee inflammation after July 3, U.S. time. Shohei the Hitter also entered the disabled list due to injury in late August. After returning to the team at the end of the season, his batting condition was not good. Although Ohtani hit a three-pointer in G4 of the National League Championship Series yesterday, he also struck out 3 times. He played in 8 games in the playoffs this year, totaling 26 hits and 5 hits, with a batting average of 0.192.

Please read on...

Regarding whether he will undergo surgery, when asked about the injury in an interview after the game yesterday, Ohtani Shohei said, "It's hard to say at the moment. This matter will be evaluated and discussed in the off-season to see if it is a feasible option." Ohtani also stated that he will continue to play two-point style in the future.

Swanson mentioned in the article that he hopes that this season full of twists and turns, this is the first time he has failed to win the championship trophy as a Dodger since winning the championship in 2024 and 2025, will make Ohtani Shohei better, more mature, and more willing to listen to the warning signals sent by his body and convey these messages to the team that relies so much on him.

Swanson believes that he hopes that the next time Shohei Ohtani's knee sends a warning signal again, he will not pitch with injury again; he hopes that when his right arm feels tight again, he can take the initiative to leave the game and rest. This should be true even if the time required to recuperate exceeds the 15 days on the disabled list, especially if it will take longer for him to return to full health.

"Hopefully he has learned one thing, whether it is out of a sense of responsibility, pride, or some unwillingness to give in, the cold fact is that as long as Ohtani is not able to play in a fully healthy state, the entire Dodgers team, an investment worth $400 million, will also be affected, and this is the situation faced in this playoffs." Swanson wrote.