Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani opened up on his 2026 season, during which he dealt with injuries and underperformed throughout the second half of the year.
Ohtani finished the year with respectable numbers, hitting 30 homers while driving in 80 runs with an OPS just shy of .900, but didn’t quite live up to his prior three years—each of which ended with an MVP award. Ohtani had an OPS north of 1.000 in each of those years, hitting at least 44 home runs in each.
What Went Wrong for Shohei Ohtani in 2026?
Ohtani attempted to complete his first season as a true two-way player with the Dodgers in 2026, but injuries impeded his ability to do so. A knee injury took him off of the mound early in July, and he struggled with that issue as well as a biceps injury throughout the second half of the year.
“Quite honestly our team didn’t do that well in the playoffs,” Ohtani said. “Personally… I was frustrated with my performance overall this season. In a nutshell, it wasn’t a great season for me personally.“
Ohtani especially struggled in the postseason, tallying just five hits through 32 plate appearances with his sole home run coming in the final game of the Dodgers’ playoff run. The two-way star took over the 2025 postseason with eight homers and a 1.096 OPS, but he says he doesn’t compare his present to his past—he just tries to be his best.
“Honestly, I don’t look at my past how I did in my previous seasons,” Ohtani said. “I truly don’t even compare myself to the past greats. For me, it’s just focusing on each season, and to focus that the season I’m in is the best I can make it. Like I said earlier, we lost in the postseason, so my focus will be that I can perform to the best of my abilities and hopefully, win the World Series.”
Despite his perceived shortcomings, though, Ohtani still finished the year as an MVP finalist, only coming in behind Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong.
“I’m truly honored to be, you know, a finalist for the last six years, but just to even see the players who are listed up right now – like I said, I feel truly honored to be in a class with these guys,” Ohtani said. “So, it’s great.”
What’s Next for Shohei Ohtani?
While Ohtani didn’t perform at his best during the 2026 season, the superstar has the next several months to get right in the midst of a potentially extended offseason due to the impending MLB lockout.
The star is sure to commit all of his available time to returning to top form as he looks to lead the Dodgers back to the World Series.
