Los Angeles – On Wednesday night the Los Angeles Dodgers welcomed two‑way star Shohei Ohtani back to the lineup after a two‑week stint on the injured list. Ohtani, who bats left‑handed and throws right‑handed, entered the game as the designated hitter, batting second against San Diego Padres left‑hander Robbie Ray.
“I’m not expecting too much,” manager Dave Roberts said before the game. “It’s been a while since he’s played, but it’s just good to get him in there.” The crowd roared as Ohtani walked to the plate to Michael Bublé’s “Feeling Good,” and he promptly lined a 2‑1 pitch from Ray into right field for a single.
After Ohtani’s hit, the Dodgers’ momentum continued when Will Smith grounded into a fielder’s choice at second base. Mookie Betts, who has been hitting .366 with six home runs and 21 RBIs in September, remained in his usual leadoff spot.
Ohtani’s recent performance and injury update
Before his injury, Ohtani last appeared on September 7 against Cincinnati, posting a .277 average with 30 homers, 80 RBIs, 89 runs and 80 walks over 134 games. In that outing he appeared physically compromised, shaking his arm and wincing at times. Roberts noted, “A few weeks ago you could see that he couldn’t hit a fastball, he was underneath everything and it was a slower swing. Just controlling the swing, the barrel, that’s something I’ll look at, and obviously stuff like the wincing, but I don’t expect to see any of that.”
Roberts indicated he may soon move Ohtani to the leadoff spot, with Betts shifting to second against right‑handed pitching. “It’s go‑time for all of us and I think he’s in a good spot,” Roberts added. “He’s getting ready for the postseason. His mind should be there and my bet is that’s where it’s at.”
Dodgers’ upcoming schedule
The Dodgers will finish their three‑game series against the Padres on Thursday before traveling to San Francisco for a three‑game set against the Giants to close out the regular season.
Roster moves accompanying Ohtani’s return
In related moves, pitcher Tarik Skubal was reinstated from the bereavement list and is slated to start Friday in San Francisco. Reliever Kyle Hurt was optioned to Triple‑A Oklahoma City.
Rookie Josue De Paula, who filled in as the DH during Ohtani’s absence, was sent back to Triple‑A to join the Oklahoma City Dodgers in the Pacific Coast League playoffs. De Paula, a 21‑year‑old New York native, had quickly become a fan favorite, reaching base safely in 10 of his first 11 major‑league games and recording his first career triple in a 7‑0 win over the Padres.
“He performed more than admirably,” Roberts said of De Paula. “This also just gives us an opportunity to potentially have him back for the postseason. He’s a part of the conversation and he’s earned that, and that’s what I told him.” If De Paula makes the postseason roster, he would serve as a pinch‑hitter.
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman echoed the sentiment, calling De Paula “awesome” and noting he “injected some real life and energy into our team.”
Original reporting: KSAT Sports (San Antonio) — read the source article.
