There might not be a more important player in Major League Baseball than Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers. He's a two-way superstar who, if fully healthy, is unmatched in the big leagues.

To start the 2026 season, he was thriving as a pitcher and hitting at an All-Star level as well. But he stopped pitching in July and eventually landed on the injured list as he dealt with bicep and knee injuries last season. There is now some concern about his future as a two-way player.

Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic shared a huge update from Dodgers' president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman. According to the Dodgers' POBO, surgery for Ohtani is "not on the table," and the plan is for Ohtani to return to pitching at some point for L.A.

Shohei Ohtani avoids surgery, will pitch again per Dodgers' POBO Friedman

"Andrew Friedman said surgery is 'not on the table' for Shohei Ohtani," Ardaya reports. "Said it was 'whack a mole' between the knee, then the biceps throughout the year."

This is exactly the kind of update that Dodgers fans will love to hear. It was feared that Ohtani would need surgery over the offseason, and that's never a good thing.

Fortunately, based on Friedman's report, the Dodgers have avoided needing surgery for Ohtani. That bodes well for a healthy return next season.

But what about his future as a two-way player? He might be healthy enough to stick at designated hitter on Opening Day, but what about taking the mound?

Friedman told reporters, including Ardaya, "I fully expect him to pitch next year" when referring to Ohtani taking the mound again.

MORE: Dodgers facing tricky question over Shohei Ohtani's future as a two-way player

That's another great update from Friedman, especially since he specifically believes Ohtani will pitch in 2027, and not just that he'll pitch again at some point in the future, which could've meant in 2028 or later.

While the second half and the playoff run for Ohtani were marred by injuries, this update reveals he will avoid needing surgery, and also that he'll return to the mound at some point next season.

The jury is still out on how much he'll pitch next year, and in what kind of role the Dodgers will utilize him to preserve his arm for the playoffs.

But, for now, this is about as good an update as Dodgers fans could've hoped for. All in all, Ohtani is avoiding surgery and will return to pitch in 2027.

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