Shohei Ohtani is finally taking swings again, hitting off a tee on Tuesday in Los Angeles, his first since landing on the 15-day injured list on September 8. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed the development, telling The Associated Press that Ohtani “felt good, too,” which, okay, that’s something. But when you look at the whole picture, that positive update feels like a tiny drop in a really big, injury-filled bucket for the Dodgers’ superstar.
The Long Road Back, or The Short Window for Ohtani?
The story of Ohtani’s season has been a battle against his own body. He landed on the IL earlier this month for right biceps inflammation, an issue he revealed back in late July but was downplayed compared to an earlier knee problem. That knee injury actually forced him to stop pitching in early July, and he even got a lubricant injection in the joint during the All-Star break. What a mess. He was still playing designated hitter, but even that got tough. In his final appearance before hitting the IL, Ohtani went a brutal 0-for-3 with two strikeouts and a walk. That’s not the kind of production you want heading into the most critical stretch of the season. And get this: he’s on the 15-day IL instead of the 10-day because of his two-way player designation, even though he’s not expected to pitch again all season.
Roberts is Hopeful, But That Schedule is TIGHT
So, Ohtani is eligible to return on September 23, giving the Dodgers just five regular-season games left after that. Five games! The Dodgers are rolling, don’t get it twisted. They came into Tuesday’s game against the Reds with a 91-59 record, sitting pretty with a nine-game lead in the NL West, and they’ve already clinched a playoff spot. That’s pure dominance. But getting Ohtani back up to speed in only five games before October baseball begins? Talk about a tightrope walk. Roberts remains optimistic, though, saying, “Whether it happens or not is to be determined, but I do expect him to be back to play in some regular season games. I don’t know how many.”
This is a huge question mark hanging over a team that’s otherwise looking fantastic. You want your stars healthy and sharp for the postseason. Five games for a “consistent build-up” is not a lot of time. Everyone will be watching every swing, every at-bat in those final few games. Can Ohtani truly get the reps he needs to be effective, or will this be a rush job into the playoffs? It’s going to be wild to see how this plays out for the Dodgers as they chase October glory.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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