Ohtani Says He Will Have to 'Manage' Injuries Through the Playoffs

Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani said the left knee and right bicep ailments that affected him for much of the summer have not fully resolved, and that he will need to "manage" them through the postseason.

Ohtani, who has split time between hitting and pitching duties this season, acknowledged that the injuries compromised his performance at points during the regular season. He indicated he does not expect to enter the playoffs at full strength but plans to continue playing through the discomfort.

The Dodgers have relied heavily on Ohtani's production in both facets of the game this year, and any reduction in his effectiveness could have implications for the team's lineup and pitching rotation decisions as the postseason progresses.

Neither Ohtani nor the Dodgers organization has provided a detailed medical update on the severity of the knee or bicep issues, and it remains unclear whether the injuries will require further treatment once the season concludes.

The team's medical and coaching staff are expected to monitor Ohtani's workload closely during the playoffs, balancing his availability against the need to protect him from aggravating the existing injuries.

Ohtani's comments add a note of uncertainty to the Dodgers' postseason outlook, as the team looks to lean on its star player while managing the physical toll of a long season.