Ohtani awaits medical checks before deciding on surgery

Shohei Ohtani said he will wait for further medical checks before deciding whether to undergo surgery, after the Los Angeles Dodgers were swept out of the National League Championship Series by the Milwaukee Brewers on October 15. Milwaukee won Game 4, 6-4, ending the Dodgers’ bid for a third consecutive World Series title. Speaking after the game through an interpreter, Ohtani said he would reassess his treatment and training plans during the offseason. He has not announced a decision on surgery or a final treatment plan. The medical checks and his choice of treatment remain ahead; no timetable was given. Ohtani said he was dissatisfied with how his pitching season ended and noted that he did not pitch in the postseason. He said he wants to return to playing both pitcher and hitter in 2027, while making recovery and preparation a priority. Whether he will be ready to pitch then has not been established. The Dodgers’ loss came despite a major moment from Ohtani at the plate. After going 25 games without a home run, he hit a 428-foot, three-run shot in the second inning, putting Los Angeles ahead 4-0. He struck out in his other three at-bats, and Milwaukee rallied to win and...