Shohei Ohtani is expected to return to the Los Angeles Dodgers lineup Wednesday after a stint on the injured list, giving the club a major piece back with only five games remaining in the regular season. The Dodgers reinstated Ohtani and optioned rookie Josue De Paula to make room on the roster, according to the team's transaction log.
Ohtani will not return to his usual spot at the top of the batting order. He is expected to hit lower in the lineup in his first game back, a measured approach as the Dodgers manage his workload ahead of the postseason. The two-way star had been sidelined since early September, and his absence coincided with a stretch in which Los Angeles struggled to find consistency at the plate.
The move comes after the Dodgers defeated the San Diego Padres, a win that kept them in position atop the National League West but did little to answer the broader questions surrounding the team. With five games left, manager Dave Roberts and his staff are still searching for the right combination of lineup production, bullpen reliability and defensive alignment before the playoffs begin.
Ohtani's return provides an immediate boost to a lineup that has leaned heavily on Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman in his absence. His presence alone changes how opposing pitchers approach the middle of the order, and his ability to run the bases adds a dimension the Dodgers have lacked in recent weeks. Still, the team has been cautious about rushing him back into full duty, and his role in the final week may be more about building rhythm than carrying the offense.
De Paula's option to the minors is a procedural move that reflects the roster crunch created by Ohtani's activation. The young outfielder had been given an opportunity during the veteran's absence but will now continue his development in the minor leagues as the Dodgers prioritize their playoff roster.
The Dodgers have not yet clarified whether Ohtani will be available to pitch in the postseason, a question that has lingered since his IL placement. His return as a hitter is the immediate focus, and the club has indicated that any pitching duties would be evaluated separately. That uncertainty remains one of several unresolved issues facing the team in the final week.
Los Angeles also continues to monitor the health of its rotation and the late-inning roles in the bullpen. The Dodgers have used a rotating cast of relievers in high-leverage situations, and the final five games will serve as an audition for who can be trusted in October. The team's defensive alignment, particularly in the outfield, is another area the coaching staff is still evaluating.
For now, the return of Ohtani gives the Dodgers the star power they need as they close out the season. But the larger questions about their playoff readiness will not be answered by one player's return. The final week will be about finding the right rhythm, settling the roster and ensuring that the team that takes the field in October looks nothing like the one that limped through September.