"Yes, definitely" despite .192 batting average… Ohtani's two-way play and his will to pitch again in 2027

Although the Dodgers were eliminated after losing all four games in the NLCS, Ohtani said he plans to pitch again next year. Citing a .192 postseason batting average and injuries, a Forbes columnist raised doubts.

Translated from Korean with AI assistance. Read the original. Sources and original publication dates are retained.

Three-line summary

The Dodgers lost 4-6 to Milwaukee in Game 4 of the NLCS on October 15 local time and were eliminated after losing all four games.
Right after the game, when asked about his plans to pitch in 2027, Ohtani answered "Yes, definitely."
His postseason batting average was .192 (5 hits in 26 at-bats), and his one home run was a three-run shot in the final game.

26 at-bats, 5 hits, batting average .192. Shohei Ohtani (32, LA Dodgers) posted these hitting numbers over eight games in the 2026 postseason. That is 0.083 lower than his regular-season average of .275. On the day the season ended, he said he would take the mound again next year. There is one central question: can he keep playing two-way with a body that has been hurt and in a slump?

Ohtani Vows to Keep Two-Way Play Right After Four-Game Elimination

The Dodgers lost 4-6 to Milwaukee in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series (NLCS, the series that decides which team advances to the World Series) on October 15 local time. According to MLB.com, they lost all four games in the series. The team that won back-to-back World Series titles in 2024 and 2025 ended its postseason with four straight losses in the NLCS.

When asked about his plans to pitch next year in a postgame interview that same day, Ohtani said "Yes, definitely". MLB.com published an interpreted English phrase that is not a direct rendering of the original Japanese. Yahoo Sports also reported his decision to keep pitching the following day.

Ohtani's postseason batting average of .192 compared with his regular season

Batting, 2026 regular season vs. postseason

Category	Batting average	Home runs (no.)	RBIs	Strikeouts (no.)
Regular season	.275	30	81	-
Postseason (8 games)	.192	1	3	10

Forbes and MLB's official records both list the postseason batting average as .192. What stands out is the strikeouts. Over 26 at-bats, he had 10 strikeouts, about 38% of his at-bats when you divide 10 by 26. He drew 4 walks.

His one home run was a three-run shot in the final game, which means all three of his RBIs came from that single swing. The Spanish outlet AS covered the homer as a moment of breaking out of his slump. The date of his previous home run differs between sources: Forbes gives August 12, while MLB.com gives August 18, so it cannot yet be confirmed.

Ohtani's Injuries: Pitching Halted Since July 3, Questions in Bloom's Column

Ohtani's regular-season pitching record this year is 8-2 over 14 starts, with an ERA of 1.79. He struck out 95 batters over 85⅔ innings. However, after July 3 he stopped pitching because of a left knee injury and a right biceps injury.

Forbes contributor Barry M. Bloom, in a column published October 16, questioned whether Ohtani can return to his previous level, citing injuries and batting struggles. Bloom is a veteran writer who has held a Hall of Fame voting ballot since 1992. This is Bloom's personal assessment.

The interview only confirms Ohtani's willingness. No confirmed reports exist on the recovery of his knee and biceps or on the Dodgers' plans for using him next year. The game was on October 15 local time, and the related reports came out on October 16.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How did Ohtani perform in the 2026 postseason?

In eight games he hit .192 (5 hits in 26 at-bats), with 1 home run, 3 RBIs, 4 walks, and 10 strikeouts. The home run was a three-run shot in the NLCS final game.

Q. Has Ohtani's return to pitching in 2027 been confirmed?

It is at the stage where Ohtani has stated his intention, saying "Yes, definitely." Since pitching was halted by knee and biceps injuries after July 3, there are no confirmed reports on when he will pitch or how he will be used.

Q. How is Ohtani's $700 million Dodgers contract being paid?

According to AP, of the $700 million total over 10 years, $680 million has been deferred. From 2024 to 2033 he receives $2 million each year, and the deferred amount is paid out in installments from 2034 to 2043.

Related official sites

MLB Ohtani official stats — check regular-season and postseason records directly
Los Angeles Dodgers official website — official team announcements and roster news
NPB Ohtani official career record — hitting and pitching records from his Nippon-Ham years

Representative image · Archive photo · Not an on-site photo from the current game in this article · Photo=Wikimedia Commons (Mogami Kariya), CC BY-SA 2.0