The , aiming for their third straight championship, are hopeful that Shohei Ohtani will be fully ready for the postseason. Manager Dave Roberts confirmed on Tuesday that barring any setbacks, Ohtani is expected to return to the lineup on Wednesday after being sidelined with an injury.
Ohtani has been on the injured list since September 11 (retroactive to September 8) because of inflammation in his right biceps. Additionally, he was taken out of the starting rotation two months earlier due to a knee injury, having battled multiple injuries in the latter half of the season. While the have decided to stop Ohtani from pitching for the rest of 2026, his presence as a designated hitter remains a significant asset.
The impact of Ohtani’s injuries was apparent before his time on the injured list; over his last 13 games, he struggled at the plate with a batting line of .122/.295/.184, no home runs, and 21 strikeouts. However, his season stats still show strong performance, hitting .277/.380/.522 with 25 doubles, four triples, 30 home runs, 80 RBIs, 89 runs, and 11 stolen bases.
Roberts had mentioned earlier in the month that Ohtani’s injuries were minor enough that, if it were the playoffs, he would have played through the pain. The team opted to rest him to maximize his recovery and get him closer to peak condition for the postseason. “If he was a 5 before, he’s probably an 8 or 9 now,” Roberts said, noting that Ohtani feels “considerably better.”
If Ohtani does return on Wednesday, he will have five games to regain his rhythm, effectively serving as a rehab stint. The will likely have a playoff bye afterward, giving Ohtani additional time to rest. Since Ohtani’s last game, the have won nine out of twelve, although they haven’t yet faced a team with a winning record; that challenge comes Tuesday night against the Padres.
Fan Take: Shohei Ohtani’s return is crucial for the ’ postseason hopes, as his unique two-way skills can dramatically shift momentum in their favor. For baseball fans, seeing a player of his caliber overcome injuries and still perform at a high level adds an exciting narrative to this year’s playoff race.
Source: www.cbssports.com
