Shohei Ohtani could be back for the Los Angeles Dodgers sooner rather than later.
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts gave an encouraging update on Ohtani, revealing he could return as early as Wednesday and is expected to play every game at the post-activation level.
Roberts also believes it’s important for Ohtani to get as many at-bats as possible once he returns to the field.
Through 130 games, Ohtani is hitting .277 with 30 home runs, 80 RBI and a .902 OPS. While his strikeout numbers rank among the league’s elite, Ohtani won’t be back on the mound this season or during the playoffs as he focuses exclusively on hitting.
Regardless of his status on the mound, the plan remains to maximize Ohtani’s impact at the plate as much as possible. The Dodgers continue to hold firm control of the National League West with a 95-60 record and a nine-game lead in first place.
If Ohtani can return Wednesday against the San Diego Padres, it will mark his first game back since Sept. 7. For a Dodgers team eyeing a historic three-peat, getting Ohtani’s bat back in the lineup provides a massive boost heading into the postseason.