The two-way superstar confirmed on Monday, through a translator, that he will only focus on hitting for the remainder of 2026.
“The thing I was more focused on was to make sure that the pitching wouldn’t cause the (worst-case) scenario, which was for me to not be able to play at all,” Ohtani said, while calling the situation “disappointing.”
The announcement comes after Ohtani returned to the lineup after missing four games with lingering left knee, right biceps and neck soreness. He went hitless with a walk and two strikeouts in Monday’s win over the Reds.
Ohtani hasn’t pitched in a game since July 3, and he hasn’t thrown since a bullpen session at Detroit on Aug. 28.
His hitting has also dipped in recent weeks. Ohtani is hitting .279 with 30 homers and 80 RBIs this season. Since the all-star break, however, he’s batting .250 with eight homers and 22 RBIs in 41 games.
“Yes, he loves pitching, loves being a two-way player,” manager Dave Roberts said before Monday’s game, “but right now it just doesn’t make any sense. It’s more of what’s best for the team, number one, and 1A, what’s best for him.”
—with files from The Associated Press.