Shohei Ohtani seems ready to return to the Dodgers’ lineup.
After a two-week hiatus on the injured list due to issues with his right arm and left knee, the two-way player is expected to be activated on Wednesday, as his minimum 15-day period on the IL concludes.
Manager Dave Roberts noted, “Unless I hear otherwise, he’ll be in the lineup tomorrow.”
This update is quite positive for both Ohtani and the Dodgers, especially considering his health situation when he first went on the IL on September 11, which was retroactively dated to September 8.
At that time, Ohtani was struggling significantly, with just six hits in his last 52 at-bats. His attempts to return to pitching had faced multiple hindrances, and he had participated in only one of the Dodgers’ previous seven games, showing signs of discomfort that were evident after dealing with injuries for most of the season.
While his return was always anticipated, there was uncertainty about whether he’d make it back before the end of the regular season. Expectations had shifted, making it clear he wouldn’t likely be at full strength for the remainder of the year.
Now, with the postseason approaching, there’s at least a sense of hopeful clarity.
Roberts mentioned that Ohtani has been feeling “considerably” better during his time on the IL, suggesting that he has moved from a 5 out of 10 in health to an 8 or 9.
On Tuesday, Ohtani was scheduled to complete the final phase of his return-to-play protocol, which involved batting practice under coach supervision and sticking to his usual workout routine in the gym.
“That’s probably just a light lift for him today,” Roberts added, indicating he should be ready to go for the game the next day.
However, there’s still some indecision about where Ohtani will fit in the batting order upon his comeback.
Mookie Betts’ return to form has provided the team with another option for the leadoff position, where Ohtani has batted consistently throughout the season.
Roberts stated that the decision could be influenced by the opposing pitcher, suggesting that Betts might hit first against left-handed pitchers, like Padres’ Robbie Ray, and Ohtani could lead off against right-handers.
Regardless, Ohtani’s return is a significant advantage for the Dodgers’ offense.
With five games remaining in the regular season, he has the opportunity to gear up for the playoffs and aim to regain his usual performance at the plate.
This marks his return from his initial IL stint as a Dodger, right in line with his eligibility.
