Should Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani still pitch? Ex-reliever gives his take

The Los Angeles Dodgers were swept out of the 2026 MLB Playoffs by the Milwaukee Brewers on October 15, causing three burning questions to surface on manager Dave Roberts ' team. The loss included a cryptic offseason surgery comment from Ohtani that has fans speculating on what the 2027 MLB season might hold.

Following the Dodgers' playoff exit, former MLB reliever and nine-year veteran Trevor May brought new life to the idea that Ohtani could pitch again after giving it up earlier this summer.

"For the first time ever, we've seen a little of, he's human," May said on Foul Territory, later adding that he thinks Ohtani's pitching will be ended.

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"I think we still have some runway here…The guy has an electric arm. It's when we feel like he's healthy, I think that's when he's gonna get sacrificed, it makes sense to me, but I just don't wanna see it happen very soon."

Ohtani ended his hitting slump with a monster three-run home run against the Brewers in the NLCS, an impact play that happened after Roberts moved him into the leadoff spot. He entered Game 4 with a .182 batting average and .515 OPS in his previous 28 appearances at the plate.

Ohtani, now 32 years old, was placed on the injury list in early September to deal with biceps and knee concerns. He recovered to play in the playoffs, but didn't seem like his usual self as fans began wondering what happened to the best dynamic two-way star baseball had seen since Babe Ruth, perhaps ever.

The Dodgers need a healthy Ohtani to make a run for the World Series, and it's become abundantly clear. How his offseason injury recovery goes could go a long way toward determining whether or not he trots out to the pitcher's mound again in 2027.