Dodgers Look to Boost Shohei Ohtani's Adaptability for 2027

October 30, 2026 - 21:29

The Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani was a shell of himself in the latter stages of 2026. It was just one of the reasons that they had an abbreviated postseason. From the beginning of July to the end of the season the two-way player had just two home runs at the plate and was forced to deal with a series of nagging physical issues that limited his availability down the stretch.

The decline was stark for a player who had spent most of the year looking like the most dangerous hitter in the lineup. Pitchers adjusted, attacking him with a steady diet of breaking balls and elevated fastballs, and Ohtani never found a consistent counter. The Dodgers watched opposing arms exploit the same holes in his approach week after week, and the offense sputtered as a result.

Now the focus shifts to 2027 and what the organization can do to make its centerpiece more adaptable. The conversation starts with workload management. Ohtani carried a heavy burden on both sides of the ball, and the wear showed in his swing decisions and bat speed late in the year. A more deliberate plan for rest and recovery could keep him fresher for the games that matter most.

The club also wants to see him adjust within at-bats rather than relying on pure power. Coaches have emphasized using the whole field and shortening up with two strikes, changes that would make him less vulnerable to the soft stuff that troubled him. There is optimism inside the building that a full winter of health and a refined game plan will bring back the version of Ohtani that opposing pitchers feared.