Ohtani says mound return unlikely, shifts focus to hitting

He has not pitched since July 3.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated Sep 81 min read

Shohei Ohtani is unlikely to pitch again this season and will be focused on “hitting moving forward”. @jonmorosi shares Via @MLBNetwork on X

What happened: After missing four games, Shohei Ohtani returned as the designated hitter Monday and went 0-for-3 with a walk and two strikeouts. He has dealt with left knee, right biceps and neck soreness.

Why it matters: Ohtani said shelving pitching reduces the risk that mound work keeps him from playing at all. His availability at the plate will be evaluated daily through September.

By the numbers: Ohtani is batting .279 with 30 home runs and 80 RBIs in 2026. Since the All-Star break, he has hit .250 with eight homers and 22 RBIs in 41 games.

What to watch: His response following Monday’s return will guide upcoming lineup decisions.

Sources

@MLBNetwork 2026-09-08T18:28:10.132918+00:00

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