What happened: Manager Dave Roberts said Ohtani has no timetable to pick up a baseball, though he stopped short of declaring his pitching season over. Ohtani returned as the designated hitter Sept. 7 after missing four games with left knee, right biceps and neck soreness.
Why it matters: The pause reduces Ohtani’s workload while keeping his bat available for the September run-in. Any 2026 mound return now depends on restarting his throwing progression.
By the numbers: Ohtani entered Sept. 7 batting .279 with 30 home runs and 80 RBIs. Since the All-Star break, he has hit .250 with eight homers and 22 RBIs in 41 games.
What to watch: His recovery after regular designated-hitter duty will shape the immediate plan. The next pitching checkpoint is whether he resumes throwing.