Dodgers Expect Ohtani Back Wednesday, Roberts Says Knee and Biceps Are Improving

Shohei Ohtani is set to come off the injured list Wednesday against San Diego, with Dave Roberts saying the two-way star feels dramatically better.

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Tuesday that Shohei Ohtani remains on schedule to return from the injured list Wednesday, the first day he is eligible. Roberts described the slugger as far healthier now than when he was sidelined, offering a rough gauge of the improvement by saying Ohtani has gone from about a 5 to an 8 or 9.

Ohtani went on the 15-day injured list on Sept. 11, with the move backdated to Sept. 8. Knee and biceps trouble had bothered him for the final two months of the season, so Los Angeles chose mid-September rest to have him ready for October.

Once activated, Ohtani would have five regular-season games to test himself before the playoffs begin, and the club plans to bring him along gradually while watching how game swings affect him. He is expected to serve as a hitter during the postseason, with no further pitching appearances anticipated this year as a precaution.

In 130 games this season, Ohtani is batting .277 with a .380 on-base percentage and .522 slugging mark, 30 home runs and 80 RBI, to go with 14 starts as a pitcher. His 8-2 record, 1.79 ERA and 95 strikeouts over 85 2/3 innings keep him in the MVP conversation alongside Chicago's Pete Crow-Armstrong as he chases a fifth MVP award overall.

Wednesday's activation would line Ohtani up for a matchup with the San Diego Padres. Los Angeles has already secured a playoff spot, while San Diego sits one game ahead in the NL wild-card standings and has not yet clinched.