Ohtani Set to Rejoin Dodgers Wednesday With Postseason Near
The short version
- Dave Roberts said Ohtani is expected to be activated from the IL on Wednesday.
- Ohtani has been out since Sept. 8 with right bicep and left knee issues.
- The Dodgers are 8-3 since Sept. 11 and need one more win to clinch a first-round bye.
- Josue De Paula and Dalton Rushing are competing for a playoff roster spot.
- Roberts may keep Mookie Betts leading off against lefties.
Los Angeles expects to activate Shohei Ohtani from the injured list on Wednesday, giving him five regular-season games to prepare for October.
Manager Dave Roberts told reporters Tuesday that Shohei Ohtani should come off the injured list Wednesday. Barring a change, the Los Angeles Dodgers star would be back in the lineup for the final stretch of the regular season. His placement on the 15-day IL was retroactive to Sept. 8 because of trouble with his right bicep and left knee.
Before Tuesday's 7-0 victory over the San Diego Padres, Ohtani took batting practice off coaches and completed his usual workout. Roberts said the two-way star keeps meeting every requirement for his return, though Ohtani did not face live pitching during his hitting program. The five remaining games give him a low-pressure setting to sharpen his timing.
Los Angeles has surged without him, going 8-3 since Sept. 11 and outscoring opponents 59-28 over that span. The club brings a five-game winning streak into Wednesday, has clinched the NL West, and needs one more result to lock up a first-round bye.
Roster decisions are pending. Catcher Eliezer Alfonzo was optioned Tuesday as center fielder Andy Pages returned, and Alex Freeland could be the next to go. Rookie Josue De Paula has impressed in his first big-league chance and is pressing for a playoff spot, likely as a left-handed pinch hitter if he makes the October roster. Dalton Rushing, out since Sept. 6 with right elbow discomfort, is also close to activation and will compete with De Paula, though Roberts conceded Rushing has limited time to state his case.
Roberts praised Rushing while noting De Paula's recent consistency at the plate, saying the team still needs to discuss the choice. He has also floated the idea of keeping Mookie Betts in the leadoff spot against left-handed pitching even with Ohtani back.