Ohtani on track to rejoin Dodgers lineup Wednesday
The short version
- Ohtani has been on the IL since Sept. 9 with right biceps inflammation and left knee soreness.
- Dave Roberts expects Ohtani back in the lineup Wednesday against San Diego.
- Ohtani will have five games to prepare for the postseason.
- Roberts said Ohtani is likely to lead off against right-handed pitching; Mookie Betts has hit .373 this month.
Shohei Ohtani is expected back in the Los Angeles lineup Wednesday after recovering from biceps and knee issues, manager Dave Roberts said.
Shohei Ohtani is expected to return to the Los Angeles Dodgers' lineup on Wednesday, manager Dave Roberts said Tuesday before the team's game against San Diego. Ohtani has been on the injured list since Sept. 9 because of right biceps inflammation and ongoing soreness in his left knee.
Roberts said Ohtani has made significant progress, rating his improvement from a five to an eight or nine on his scale. The Dodgers clinched the NL West title without him while he received treatment in Los Angeles during the team's road trip against Cincinnati.
The four-time MVP will have five regular-season games to get at-bats before the playoffs begin. Roberts indicated Ohtani will likely hit leadoff against right-handed pitching, though no final decision has been made.
Mookie Betts has been batting leadoff in Ohtani's absence and is hitting .373 this month. Roberts said he is weighing Betts' value in the top spot against left-handed pitching as he settles on the full lineup structure.