Shohei Ohtani is back. Manager Dave Roberts confirmed Tuesday, September 22, that Ohtani will be activated from the injured list for Wednesday’s game against the San Diego Padres — the first day he was eligible to return. The timing couldn’t be more loaded: the Dodgers open the Wild Card round on September 29, leaving just four or five regular-season games for Ohtani to find his rhythm before October.
Why He Was Out — and Why It Matters Now
Los Angeles placed Ohtani on the IL on September 9 (retroactive to the 8th) with inflammation in his right biceps and discomfort in his left knee. It marked the first time in his career as a Dodger that he landed on the injured list. Because MLB rules classify him as a two-way player, he wasn’t eligible for the standard 10-day IL available to position players — the 15-day IL applied instead, making the absence more costly in terms of time.
Roberts admitted he would have preferred to put Ohtani on the IL earlier rather than let the situation linger. SportsNet LA’s David Vassegh reported Roberts’ statement directly to the media: «Shohei Ohtani will be activated for tomorrow’s game» — confirmed by Sports Illustrated from the September 22 press conference. No ambiguity there.
One thing worth noting upfront: Ohtani returns exclusively as the designated hitter. His last mound appearance was July 3. The Dodgers shut him down as a pitcher for the rest of the 2026 season, so anyone hoping to see him throw in the Wild Card will have to keep waiting.
Where He Hits in the Lineup
Roberts indicated Ohtani will likely slot back into the leadoff spot, though he could slide down in matchups against left-handed pitchers — with Mookie Betts taking that top spot instead. That same flexibility would carry into the postseason. The Dodgers don’t expect Ohtani to be at full physical capacity, but they’re confident the rest has him ready to compete.
The Dodgers had already clinched their fifth consecutive NL West title on September 18 with an 8-2 win over the Reds. The mission now isn’t winning more regular-season games — it’s getting Ohtani sharp for October.
The Numbers Behind the Urgency
Ohtani’s 2026 season, in 134 games, explains why the Dodgers need him healthy in a hurry.
At the plate (596 plate appearances):
- 30 home runs, 80 RBI
- AVG: .277 | OPS: .902 (5th in the NL, per ESPN)
- xwOBA: .399 — 99th percentile in MLB
- Average exit velocity: 93.2 mph — 96th percentile
- Barrel rate: 15.8% — 96th percentile
- Hard-hit rate: 51.5% — 94th percentile
- Bat speed: 74.6 mph — 79th percentile
On the mound (14 starts, 85.2 innings):
- ERA: 1.79 | WHIP: 0.95
- 95 strikeouts vs. 26 walks (27.9% K rate — 84th percentile)
- xERA: 2.75 — 95th percentile
- Average fastball: 97.8 mph at 2,459 rpm — 93rd percentile velocity
- Whiff rate: 30.4% — 86th percentile
- Opposing batting average: .180
- Average exit velocity allowed: 87.4 mph
- Barrel rate allowed: 3.8% — 94th percentile in barrels avoided
Those aren’t numbers you replace off the bench. Five games to shake off the rust, then October. That’s the situation.
