LOS ANGELES (AP) — Shohei Ohtani was back in the Los Angeles Dodgers' lineup on Wednesday after missing two weeks with right biceps discomfort.
He was set to bat second as the designated hitter against the San Diego Padres and left-handed starter Robbie Ray. Ohtani hits left-handed and throws and pitches right-handed.
“I’m not expecting too much,” manager Dave Roberts said. “It’s been a while since he’s played, but it’s just good to get him in there.”
Mookie Betts was in Ohtani's usual leadoff spot, where he's been since the two-way superstar went on the injured list on Sept. 8.
Betts is hitting .366 with six home runs, 21 RBIs, 13 walks and 18 runs scored in 18 games in September. He's tied for third in the major leagues with 26 hits this month, and also ranks among National League leaders this month in extra-base hits, RBIs, total bases, doubles and runs.
Ohtani last played on Sept. 7 against Cincinnati and is hitting .277 with 30 homers, 80 RBIs, 89 runs scored and 80 walks in 134 games. He appeared physically compromised at the plate, shaking out his arm and wincing at times.
“A few weeks ago you could see that he couldn’t hit a fastball, he was underneath everything and it was a slower swing,” Roberts said. “Just controlling the swing, the barrel, I think that’s something I’ll look at and obviously stuff like the wincing, but I don’t expect to see any of that.”
Roberts said he likely would have Ohtani leading off and Betts hitting second against right-handed pitching.
The Dodgers conclude their three-game set against the Padres on Thursday, then head to San Francisco for three games against the Giants to end the regular season.
Roberts expects to see a focused Ohtani at the plate.
“It’s go-time for all of us and I think he’s in a good spot,” Roberts said. “He's getting ready for the postseason. His mind should be there and my bet is that that’s where it’s at.”
In other moves, pitcher Tarik Skubal was reinstated from the bereavement list. He is scheduled to start Friday at San Francisco. Reliever Kyle Hurt was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City.
With Ohtani's return, Josue De Paula was sent down to Triple-A to join the Comets in the Pacific Coast League playoffs against the Las Vegas Aviators. De Paula had been in the lineup as the DH.
De Paula quickly became a fan favorite during Ohtani's absence. The 21-year-old New York native reached base safely in 10 of his first 11 games in the majors. He went 2 for 3 with a run scored and a walk while notching his first career triple in the Dodgers' 7-0 win over the Padres on Tuesday.
“He performed more than admirably,” Roberts said. “This also just gives us an opportunity to potentially have him back for the postseason. He’s a part of the conversation and he’s earned that, and that’s what I told him.”
If De Paula makes the postseason roster, he would serve as a pinch-hitter.
“Josue has been awesome,” said Andrew Friedman, president of baseball operations. “Injected some real life and energy into our team.”
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