Shohei Ohtani Could Resume Swinging as Dodgers Begin Cincinnati Series

Shohei Ohtani could take an important step toward returning to the Los Angeles Dodgers’ lineup as early as Monday.

Manager Dave Roberts said Ohtani could resume taking swings on Sept. 14 or 15 after temporarily shutting down his hitting activity to receive treatment for his right biceps and left knee.

Ohtani continues to work out and receive treatment while traveling with the Dodgers, but the club had not confirmed at the time of publication that he had already resumed swinging.

The four-time MVP was officially placed on the 15-day injured list Sept. 11, with the move retroactive to Sept. 8. Because Ohtani carries a two-way player designation, he must serve a minimum of 15 days on the IL even though his immediate goal is to return only as a hitter.

The earliest he can be activated is Sept. 23.

Dodgers Temporarily Shut Down Ohtani’s Swinging

The Dodgers initially hoped a series of scheduled days off would allow Ohtani to recover without an IL stint.

He missed four consecutive games before returning as the designated hitter Sept. 7 against the Cincinnati Reds. Ohtani went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts and a walk in his return but did not remain in the lineup consistently afterward.

Los Angeles eventually determined that the injuries were not improving enough while Ohtani remained active.

The Dodgers placed him on the IL and shut him down from swinging for two to three days, giving the inflammation time to settle before beginning another hitting progression.

Roberts said Ohtani could start swinging again Monday or Tuesday, but the timing depends on how his body responds to treatment. (MLB.com)

That makes the next step possible rather than completed.

Until Ohtani is seen swinging or the Dodgers confirm that he has resumed baseball activity, his hitting progression should still be considered pending.

Ohtani Is Managing Two Separate Injuries

Ohtani’s IL placement involves discomfort in both his right biceps and left knee.

The biceps issue has affected him as a hitter, while the knee injury interrupted his pitching season. He has not pitched since July 3 and recently acknowledged that he most likely will not return to the mound this year.

Ohtani is now focused on getting healthy enough to contribute offensively through the remainder of the regular season and postseason.

Before the Dodgers placed him on the IL, Ohtani had struggled to generate his usual production. He went 2-for-26 without an extra-base hit or RBI across his final seven games before the move.

For the season, Ohtani is batting .277/.380/.522 with 30 home runs and 80 RBIs in 134 games. He also made 14 starts as a pitcher, going 8-2 with a 1.79 ERA and 95 strikeouts across 85⅔ innings. (Los Angeles Dodgers)

His recent offensive slump may have been at least partially influenced by the physical issues, although neither Ohtani nor the Dodgers has attributed every struggling at-bat directly to the injuries.

Dodgers Expect Ohtani Back This Season

The IL move was designed to improve Ohtani’s condition before October rather than end his season.

Roberts said that if the Dodgers had been playing a postseason game immediately, Ohtani likely would have remained in the lineup. With the team positioned to reach October, however, Los Angeles determined that resting him now offered a better chance of having him available for the games that matter most.

“If it were a postseason game tomorrow, he would be in the lineup,” Roberts said when announcing the decision. (Reuters)

The Dodgers are not promising that Ohtani will be completely healthy when he returns.

Roberts acknowledged that Ohtani may not reach 100 percent before the end of the season but believes the IL period can put him in an adequate condition to contribute through the postseason.

That distinction remains important.

The Dodgers are trying to improve Ohtani’s condition enough for him to play effectively, not necessarily eliminate every symptom before activating him.

Sept. 23 Is the Earliest Possible Return

Because Ohtani’s IL placement was made retroactive to Sept. 8, he can return as early as Sept. 23 when the Dodgers host the San Diego Padres.

That does not mean Sept. 23 is a guaranteed activation date.

Ohtani must first resume swinging, progress through batting practice or other hitting work and demonstrate that his right biceps can tolerate repeated swings without another setback.

The Dodgers will also continue monitoring his left knee and overall mobility.

If his progression remains on schedule, Ohtani could return for the final five games of the regular season. That would provide a limited opportunity to regain his timing before the postseason begins.

If he needs additional recovery time, Los Angeles could keep him on the IL beyond the minimum 15 days.

Ohtani’s First Swings Will Be an Important Test

Resuming swings would represent progress, but it would only be the beginning of Ohtani’s return process.

The Dodgers must evaluate how the biceps responds during and after the activity. Feeling comfortable during one session will matter, but the club will also watch for soreness or inflammation the following day.

That response will help determine how quickly Ohtani advances.

For now, the Dodgers remain optimistic that he will hit again this season. His 2026 pitching season is expected to be over, with his return to the mound pushed to 2027.

The immediate focus is restoring the swing and mobility that allow Ohtani to impact the lineup.

Ohtani could begin that process as early as Monday, but his first swings have not yet been confirmed and his return date remains dependent on how his body responds.