The Los Angeles Dodgers activated Shohei Ohtani from the 15-day injured list and optioned top prospect Josue De Paula to Triple-A Oklahoma City ahead of Wednesday’s game against the San Diego Padres.
Ohtani, who had been sidelined with a biceps injury, went one-for-four in his return, including a hit off Padres left-hander Robbie Ray. The Dodgers lost 5-1, falling short of clinching a first-round bye in the Wild Card round. Manager Dave Roberts confirmed Ohtani’s activation was part of a planned timeline to prepare him for the postseason.
Ohtani’s Return and Playoff Implications
Ohtani’s return was closely watched as he had missed six of the team’s last seven games due to injury. Roberts stated the Dodgers had given Ohtani a "runway" to ease back into the lineup, emphasizing his readiness for the postseason. "He performed more than admirably," Roberts said. "This also, as far as the timing, just gives us an opportunity to potentially have him back for the postseason."
The Dodgers activated Ohtani after he spent the minimum required time on the injured list, returning just in time for a critical stretch of the regular season. Ohtani’s season totals include 30 home runs, 80 RBIs, and a .902 OPS across 130 games. He also made 14 pitching starts this year, posting a career-best 1.79 ERA over 85.2 innings.
De Paula’s Demotion and Future Role
Despite De Paula’s strong performance since his September call-up—hitting .500 with a 1.000 OPS in 11 games—the Dodgers chose to option him back to the minors upon Ohtani’s return. De Paula, the Dodgers’ top prospect and the No. 6 overall prospect in MLB, had filled in admirably during Ohtani’s absence but now faces an uncertain path to a postseason roster spot.
Roberts acknowledged the difficulty of the decision, noting the Dodgers’ limited roster flexibility. "We had a runway to give him, which we gave him and he performed more than admirably," Roberts said. "This also, as far as the timing, just gives us an opportunity to potentially have him back for the postseason."
De Paula could still rejoin the Dodgers for the postseason if needed. The team has a 10-day window before the National League Division Series to recall him, coinciding with the start of the NLDS. He will compete with Dalton Rushing for a potential bench spot, depending on Rushing’s recovery from injury.
Lineup Adjustments and Playoff Outlook
With Ohtani back in the lineup, the Dodgers hit him second in the batting order for the first time this season, with Mookie Betts leading off. Roberts noted the strategic challenge of navigating the lineup against left-handed pitching, joking about a "Mookie tax" and "Will Smith tax" to reach Ohtani.
The Dodgers’ loss to the Padres kept them from securing a first-round bye, leaving their playoff positioning unresolved. Ohtani’s return provides a boost as the team eyes a deep postseason run, though the Dodgers will need to finalize their roster decisions in the coming days.