LOS ANGELES, United States – Shohei Ohtani returned to the Los Angeles Dodgers lineup Wednesday night after missing two weeks with right biceps discomfort and immediately produced a hit in his first at-bat.
Ohtani, batting second as the designated hitter, lined a 2-1 pitch from San Diego Padres left-hander Robbie Ray into right field in the first inning at Dodger Stadium. The hit brought a loud reaction from the home crowd as Ohtani returned to action less than two weeks before the postseason.
He was later out at second base when Will Smith grounded into a fielder’s choice.
The Dodgers activated Ohtani from the injured list before the game. He had not played since Sept. 7 against Cincinnati and had been placed on the injured list Sept. 8.
Ohtani returns after two-week absence
Ohtani’s absence followed a period in which he had appeared uncomfortable at the plate.
Before going on the injured list, he was hitting .277 with 30 home runs, 80 RBIs, 89 runs and 80 walks through 134 games. He had recorded only seven hits in his previous 54 at-bats before the injury interruption.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Tuesday that Ohtani looked considerably healthier than he had before going on the injured list.
Roberts said that if Ohtani’s health had previously been a five on a 10-point scale, he would now put him at an eight or nine.
Ohtani resumed baseball activities before his return, including hitting work and running. The Dodgers had planned to use the remaining regular-season games to help him regain timing before the postseason.
Dodgers adjust the top of the lineup
Ohtani normally occupied the leadoff position before his injury.
For Wednesday’s game, however, the Dodgers moved Mookie Betts into the leadoff spot and placed Ohtani second against Ray, a left-handed starter. Roberts had indicated that the lineup could vary depending on the opposing pitcher.
The change comes as Betts has been producing strongly during September.
He entered Wednesday hitting .366 with six home runs, 21 RBIs, 13 walks and 18 runs in 18 September games, according to the Associated Press.
Ohtani’s return nevertheless restores one of the Dodgers’ most prominent offensive options as the regular season approaches its final games.
Ohtani returns as a hitter
The Dodgers are using Ohtani only as a hitter for the remainder of the 2026 season.
That means his immediate return is focused on his offensive readiness rather than his role as a pitcher.
His return also followed several other significant roster developments. The Dodgers had activated center fielder Andy Pages and right-hander Roki Sasaki earlier in the week as players recovered from their respective injuries.
The club also reinstated pitcher Tarik Skubal from the bereavement list before Wednesday’s game.
Dodgers prepare for the postseason
The timing of Ohtani’s return gives him only a small number of regular-season games to regain his rhythm before October.
The Dodgers entered the final week of the regular season competing for a top postseason position. Their remaining schedule includes the conclusion of their series against San Diego followed by three games against the San Francisco Giants.
Roberts said before Ohtani’s return that the focus was on getting the two-way star ready for the postseason.
For Ohtani, Wednesday provided the first immediate test.
His first swing produced the result the Dodgers were looking for: a clean hit and a return to the lineup after two weeks away.
Reporting Credit: Los Angeles Dodgers — Ohtani’s activation from the injured list, lineup status and roster moves; MLB — official player and game records; Dave Roberts — statements regarding Ohtani’s recovery, health and planned usage.
