Dodgers president Andrew Friedman outlined a measured approach during a Feb. 17 media session, signaling a lighter but still controlled throwing program through March. The team aims to determine when Ohtani can enter the rotation and how his workload will progress, balancing aggressive goals with the realities of his two-way role and past surgery.
Friedman noted that Ohtani’s 2025 comeback required deliberate pacing, and while the plan would be less conservative this year, it will still emphasize recovery and load management. The eventual goal is for him to contribute as a core two-way star, adjusting as the season unfolds based on how he feels and performs.
The club also clarified Ohtani’s participation in the 2026 World Baseball Classic for Japan, confirming he will serve as a designated hitter rather than pitch. Friedman stressed the importance of protecting his long-term health to ensure he can pitch for the next eight years.
From a competitive standpoint, Friedman left open the possibility that Ohtani could be a strong Cy Young contender, depending on progression through spring and early season assessments. The team will monitor his throwing progression, recovery, and readiness as it moves toward a fuller workload.
Ohtani’s WBC role will be DH-only to mitigate wear while the Dodgers aim to maximize his production across both facets of the season. The organization emphasized a careful balance between peak performance in 2026 and sustained effectiveness moving forward.
In sum, the Dodgers enter 2026 with Ohtani available as a two-way threat, but with explicit guardrails in place to safeguard his health and ensure a durable, productive campaign. The team will reassess through March and into the season to determine the optimal path for his pitching and hitting workload.
