Dodgers Announce Cautious Ohtani Pitching Plan for 2026

Dodgers president outlines strategy to manage Ohtani's workload after deep playoff run.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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The Los Angeles Dodgers have announced a cautious pitching plan for star player Shohei Ohtani ahead of the 2026 MLB season. Dodgers president Andrew Friedman detailed that the team will be "less deliberate" with Ohtani's workload compared to last year, when he was returning from surgery, but will still closely monitor his progress and recovery, especially after pitching deep into the postseason to help the Dodgers win a second straight World Series. Friedman also confirmed that Ohtani will be the designated hitter, not a pitcher, for Japan in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

Why it matters

Ohtani's ability to excel as both a pitcher and hitter is unprecedented in modern baseball, making him one of the sport's biggest draws. The Dodgers' careful management of his workload is crucial to keeping him healthy and productive for the long term, as they aim to maximize his contributions to their quest for a third straight championship.

The details

Friedman said the Dodgers will have Ohtani go through a throwing program in March to get his arm in shape, and they hope to get him into a Freeway Series game before the start of the regular season. From there, the team will "read and react" based on how Ohtani is feeling and recovering, potentially ramping up his workload as the season progresses. Friedman acknowledged that Ohtani could be a Cy Young contender if all goes well, but the priority is keeping him healthy for the long haul.

  • Ohtani pitched deep into the postseason to help the Dodgers win the 2026 World Series.
  • Friedman outlined the Dodgers' pitching plan for Ohtani on February 17, 2026.

The players

Shohei Ohtani

A star player for the Los Angeles Dodgers who is able to excel as both a pitcher and hitter, a rare feat in modern baseball.

Andrew Friedman

The president of the Los Angeles Dodgers, who outlined the team's cautious pitching plan for Ohtani ahead of the 2026 season.

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What they’re saying

“Last year, he was coming back from surgery, and so we were very deliberate about a lot of things. This year, we will be less so, but still mindful of it. It's a heavy load that he takes on that is different from every other player in baseball. A lot of it is reading and reacting.”

— Andrew Friedman, President, Los Angeles Dodgers (Dodgers Nation)

“I certainly wouldn't bet against him, and the fact that he is saying that he seems like he's on a mission pitching‑wise, whenever we've seen him on a mission, good things happen.”

— Andrew Friedman, President, Los Angeles Dodgers (Dodgers Nation)

What’s next

The Dodgers will closely monitor Ohtani's progress during spring training and determine how to best manage his workload as the 2026 season gets underway.

The takeaway

The Dodgers' cautious approach to managing Shohei Ohtani's pitching workload reflects the team's commitment to preserving the health and long-term viability of one of baseball's most unique and valuable talents.