Shohei Ohtani finally swung a bat in LA, hitting off a tee and feeling "good," according to Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. This is massive news for the two-time National League MVP, who’s been sidelined with nagging injuries in his left knee and right bicep that led to a prolonged slump at the plate and landed him on the 15-day injured list.
Roberts told reporters before the Dodgers took on the Reds that this was a "positive" step, and he expects a "consistent build up" from here. While he didn’t give a firm return date, Roberts hopes Ohtani can get back into some regular season games before the postseason kicks off. The absolute earliest we could see Ohtani back in action would be the final regular season series against the San Francisco Giants, which starts on September 25. Ohtani has already ruled out pitching for the rest of 2026, focusing solely on being a hitter. Roberts straight up said, "I do expect him to be back to play in some regular season games. Don’t know how many, though."
Rookie Sensation Josue De Paula Is Making Dave Roberts’ Life Hard
Here’s where it gets wild: while Ohtani’s been out, rookie Josue De Paula has stepped up huge, and he’s absolutely thriving. This dude is only hitting .182 in a super small sample size, but get this: he’s drawn five walks with zero strikeouts in his first five big league games, giving him a ridiculous .438 on-base percentage! The kid's a ball magnet!
And if you needed more proof, his first Major League hit was a towering 416-foot home run to right field in Miami just this past Sunday. Roberts loves what he’s seeing, moving the 21-year-old from ninth in the order all the way to the leadoff spot for Tuesday’s game. "I like the at-bats," Roberts said. "I like the at-bat quality." While it’s a "no promises" trial run, Roberts hasn’t ruled out De Paula sticking around and making the postseason roster, possibly as a lefty bat off the bench, or maybe even more. Roberts even threw down the gauntlet, saying, "I hope he makes our decision hard."
What Happens Next For The Dodgers?
So, what does this mean for the Dodgers as we head into the final stretch? Ohtani’s return is obviously huge, but now you’ve got a red-hot rookie forcing his way into the conversation. Does Ohtani get his everyday spot back immediately? Does De Paula, who’s been absolutely lights out in his plate appearances, get pushed aside? Dave Roberts has some tough calls coming. Keep an eye on that final series against the Giants. Will we see Ohtani back in the lineup, potentially playing alongside the rookie who’s been making such a strong case for himself?
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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