Shohei Ohtani Expected to Return to Dodgers After Injury Stint

Shohei Ohtani is expected to be activated from the injured list on Wednesday after spending two weeks recovering from right arm and left knee injuries. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts stated, "Unless I hear otherwise, he’ll be in the lineup tomorrow." Ohtani was placed on the injured list on September 11, with the move backdated to September 8, during which he was struggling with a 6-for-52 slump at the plate and had only played one of the previous seven games due to pain from his injuries. While it was anticipated that he would return, there were questions about whether it would happen before the end of the regular season, and it was clear he would not return to full health this year. Roberts noted that Ohtani has felt "considerably" better during his time on the injured list, estimating his health at an 8 or 9 out of 10. On Tuesday, Ohtani was scheduled to complete his return-to-play plan with batting practice and a workout. The Dodgers are uncertain about his batting order position upon his return, as Mookie Betts has been performing well in the leadoff spot. Roberts indicated that the decision may depend on pitching matchups, with Ohtani potentially leading off against right-handed pitchers. Ohtani will have five games left in the regular season to prepare for the playoffs.