Image Source: MLB.com
The Dodgers schedule received a major boost Wednesday night when Shohei Ohtani returned from the injured list against the San Diego Padres. Although Los Angeles suffered a 5-1 defeat, the club’s attention was fixed on a more important development: whether Ohtani could move, swing and compete without discomfort with October approaching.
Ohtani was activated before the September 23 game after spending 15 days on the injured list while dealing with lingering right biceps discomfort and soreness in his left knee. He returned to his designated hitter role and batted second for the first time this season.
Dodgers Schedule Gets a Critical Ohtani Boost
The two-way star immediately gave the Dodgers a reason for optimism. In his first plate appearance, Ohtani lined a single to right field, then drew a walk in the third inning. He finished the night 1-for-4 with two strikeouts, including a bases-loaded strikeout in the fourth inning that ended Los Angeles’ most promising rally.
While the final numbers were not spectacular, the Dodgers were encouraged by the quality of Ohtani’s at-bats and his physical movement. Unlike earlier in September, when his swing appeared restricted and he showed signs of discomfort, Ohtani attacked pitches with full intent and did not appear hesitant.
“He looked good. I thought the at-bat quality was good,” manager Dave Roberts said, according to MLB.com. “There wasn’t any chase. I thought he hit the ball hardest in his first at-bat.”
Plate Discipline Offers Powerful Encouragement
Roberts also pointed to Ohtani’s improved plate discipline as a positive sign. When a player is dealing with an injury, he may feel forced to cheat on pitches or commit too early. A healthier Ohtani, however, appeared more comfortable trusting his eyes and allowing the baseball to reach him.
“When you feel healthy and strong, you feel like you can just see the baseball, trust your eyes and take your swing,” Roberts explained.
That approach will be especially important during the final stretch of the regular season. With only five games remaining, the Dodgers are not simply searching for wins. They are trying to establish rhythm, preserve player health and build the strongest possible lineup for the postseason.
Los Angeles Focuses on Rhythm Before October
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said the organization wants to give Ohtani as many at-bats as possible while carefully monitoring his workload. That could mean playing him in four or five of the club’s remaining games, depending on how he responds physically.
“The biggest thing is get him as many at-bats as we can, some rhythm and timing,” Friedman said before the game. “The most important thing is how much better he feels.”
Ohtani’s return follows a difficult period in which the Dodgers tried to keep him in the lineup while managing multiple physical issues. Before going on the injured list on September 9, he had not recorded an RBI since August 18, the longest such stretch of his career.
Friedman acknowledged that managing Ohtani is a unique challenge because the player’s workload is unlike anything the organization has handled before. Ohtani’s role as both an elite hitter and pitcher creates additional demands, while his strong desire to remain available can make it difficult to assess how much discomfort he is experiencing.
“There’s no playbook for this,” Friedman said. “It’s unprecedented for all of us. We’re kind of feeling our way through it together.”
Postseason Positioning Adds Urgency
The Dodgers’ loss to San Diego, combined with an Atlanta Braves victory, kept the National League race in focus. Los Angeles remains one win, or one Braves defeat, away from securing a top-two record in the league and earning a first-round postseason bye.
- Shohei Ohtani returned after a 15-day injured list stint.
- He collected a single and a walk in his first game back.
- The Dodgers lost 5-1 to the Padres on September 23.
- Los Angeles has five regular-season games remaining.
- The club is prioritizing health, timing and postseason readiness.
The latest Dodgers schedule is therefore about more than the standings. Every remaining game will serve as a test of the roster’s readiness, particularly for Ohtani and other key contributors returning from injuries. The immediate goal is not perfection but consistency.
Roberts said the club wants Ohtani playing his best baseball when the postseason begins. For the Dodgers, a healthy and productive Ohtani could dramatically change the team’s October outlook. His first game back provided an encouraging starting point, even if the scoreboard did not follow.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Shohei Ohtani return to the Dodgers lineup?
Ohtani returned on September 23, 2026, after spending 15 days on the injured list because of right biceps discomfort and left knee soreness.
How did Ohtani perform in his first game back?
He went 1-for-4, recorded a single in his first at-bat, drew a walk and struck out twice in the Dodgers’ 5-1 loss to the Padres.
How many regular-season games remain for Los Angeles?
The Dodgers have five regular-season games remaining as they prepare for the postseason.
What is at stake for the Dodgers?
Los Angeles needs one victory or one Atlanta Braves loss to secure a top-two record in the National League and a first-round postseason bye.
