The Los Angeles Dodgers are getting their big guns back just in time, and you just know the rest of the league is sweating it. After battling an injury bug that sidelined key players over the last month, it’s now being reported that Roki Sasaki, Shohei Ohtani, and Andy Pages are all expected to be back for the playoffs. Talk about a wild turn of events.
The Injury Bug That Almost Sank Them
Man, what a gut punch it was for LA when Andy Pages went down. The dude got hit in the hand by a pitch from Bubba Chandler during a 5-4 win against the Pittsburgh Pirates in late August, fracturing his left hand. Just like that, their center fielder was out, with Enrique Hernandez stepping in to replace him to start the fifth inning. And then, the real shocker: Shohei Ohtani on the injured list. This wasn’t some minor ding, it was a 15-day IL stint for the two-way phenom. Dodgers reporter Noah Camras said Ohtani’s earliest return was Sept. 23. With the wild-card round starting Sept. 29 and the NLDS on Oct. 3, losing Ohtani felt like a season-ender. Josue De Paula was even lined up to take over as the everyday DH. Talk about a major scare, almost derailing their quest for three straight World Series titles.
The Return of the Postseason Heroes
But hold up! The Dodgers are getting their dudes back, big time. According to Dodgers Beat’s Cody Snavely, Andy Pages and Roki Sasaki have officially been activated from the IL. Emmet Sheehan and Eliezer Alfonzo got optioned in corresponding moves. And get this, Shohei Ohtani is expected to be activated tomorrow, with Freeland presumably making the corresponding move. This is massive for LA. We’re talking about a trio of Ohtani, Pages, and Sasaki, who’ve collectively made a whopping $58 million in their careers. Sasaki, man, he had some major heroics last year in the postseason, straight up becoming their closer. That’s some serious, game-changing talent walking back onto the field.
So, with their big three returning right as the playoffs are about to kick off, the Dodgers are feeling good. They’re trying to pull off three consecutive World Series championships, a feat that felt seriously iffy just a few weeks ago. Getting these guys back means they’re loaded up and ready to make that historic run. You just know LA is hyped to have them back, and honestly, who wouldn’t be?
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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