Shohei Ohtani Set to Resume Swinging Tuesday as Dodgers Return Draws Closer
Shohei Ohtani is scheduled to take an important step toward returning to the Dodgers’ lineup.
Dave Roberts confirmed that Ohtani is expected to hit off a tee Tuesday in Los Angeles. It would be his first hitting activity since the Dodgers placed him on the 15-day injured list with right-biceps inflammation.
Ohtani remained in Los Angeles while the Dodgers traveled to Miami and Cincinnati. He has continued working out, lifting and receiving treatment, but the Dodgers initially shut him down from swinging to give the inflammation time to improve. (Los Angeles Times)
Tuesday’s scheduled tee work represents the beginning of Ohtani’s hitting progression. It does not mean he has been cleared to return to the lineup.
Dodgers Will Evaluate Ohtani After Tee Work
The Dodgers have not announced what Ohtani’s progression will look like beyond Tuesday.
Beginning with tee work will allow Ohtani to test his right arm under a controlled workload before potentially advancing to soft toss, batting-cage work and live pitching.
How he feels during and after the session will help determine how quickly the Dodgers move him forward.
There has been no report that Ohtani has completed the workout. Until that happens, the accurate description is that he is scheduled to resume swinging, not that he has already resumed.
The Dodgers are unlikely to accelerate the process if Ohtani experiences renewed discomfort. The purpose of placing him on the injured list was to give him an extended break from game swings instead of continuing to manage the injury one day at a time.
Ohtani Is Eligible to Return September 23
Ohtani’s injured-list placement was retroactive to Sept. 8, making Sept. 23 the earliest date he can be activated.
That is an eligibility date—not a confirmed return date.
The Dodgers have not announced whether Ohtani will rejoin the lineup immediately when eligible. His activation will depend on how his right biceps responds as he advances through the hitting progression.
NBC Sports reported that the Dodgers could establish a clearer timetable later in the week after Ohtani resumes baseball activities. (NBC Sports)
Because Ohtani retains two-way player status, he was required to spend at least 15 days on the injured list. Position players normally have a 10-day minimum.
Right Biceps Did Not Improve Enough Without IL Stint
The Dodgers placed Ohtani on the injured list after his right biceps failed to show enough improvement following his last appearance.
Ohtani played against Cincinnati on Sept. 7 and went 0-for-3 with a walk and two strikeouts. The Dodgers initially believed he came out of the game in an acceptable condition, but he reported additional discomfort from one of his swings the following day.
That changed the Dodgers’ approach.
Instead of continuing to rest Ohtani for individual games, the team determined that removing him from competition for two weeks offered a better opportunity for meaningful improvement.
“If it were a postseason game tomorrow, he would be in the lineup,” Roberts said when announcing the move.
Roberts also acknowledged that Ohtani may not return at 100 percent. However, the Dodgers believe the extended break can put him in a better position to contribute through the end of the regular season and into October. (MLB.com)
Dodgers’ Focus Is Getting Ohtani Back as a Hitter
Ohtani has dealt with both right-biceps inflammation and left-knee soreness during the second half of the season.
The knee issue has kept him off the mound since July 3, while the biceps problem eventually began affecting his ability to swing comfortably.
The Dodgers have shut down Ohtani’s pitching program for the remainder of the season. His recovery is now focused on getting him healthy enough to return as the designated hitter.
Before going on the injured list, Ohtani was batting .277 with a .902 OPS, 30 home runs and 80 RBIs across 130 games.
His production declined as the injuries persisted. Ohtani went 2-for-26 without an extra-base hit or RBI over his final seven games before the IL move.
Josue De Paula has received opportunities at designated hitter during Ohtani’s absence.
Tuesday Is a Step, Not a Return Date
Ohtani beginning tee work would be an encouraging development, but it should not be interpreted as confirmation that he will return Sept. 23.
He must first complete the session without a setback and continue progressing against increased intensity.
The next meaningful update will come after Ohtani swings and reports how his right biceps responded.
For now, Ohtani is scheduled to begin hitting Tuesday, but neither the workout nor his return to the Dodgers’ lineup has happened yet.