LOS ANGELES -- As the Cincinnati Redsreturned to Dodger Stadium for the first time since last year's brief playoff appearance, they got a player back to help their lineup.
Problem for the Reds: So did the Dodgers.
The Reds activated light-hitting, Gold Glove third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes after 11 days on the injured list for a left groin strain.
The Dodgers, meanwhile, returned all-time baseball unicorn Shohei Ohtani to their lineup for this week's series opener Monday (Sept. 7) after Ohtani had missed the previous four games because of knee soreness.
Oof.
The Reds, who remain in last place in the NL Central despite winning their last three series
against teams in playoff position (7-3 in their last 10 games entering the week), face the Dodgers in seven of the next 10 games, with three against the MLB-best Brewers in Milwaukee wedged in the middle of that stretch.
The Dodgers, who have the second-best record in the majors as they make a bid for a third consecutive World Series championship, are in position to clinched the NL West during that stretch.
The Reds optioned infielder Edwin Arroyo back to Triple-A Louisville as the corresponding move for Hayes. Arroyo had only one hit in 17 at-bats in his latest call-up.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Ohtani back in Dodger lineup for Reds, who add Ke'Bryan Hayes
