Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani is already working his way back from the injured list, as he will hit off of a tee ahead of Tuesday’s game against the Cincinnati Reds.
The Dodgers refrained from placing Ohtani on the injured list for a week before finally moving him to the IL, holding him out of six of the team’s last seven games where he was available due to a combination of injuries which plagued him for the entire second half of the season.
With the postseason just a couple of weeks away, Ohtani’s return is key for the Dodgers if they’re to continue towards winning a three-peat.
What Are Shohei Ohtani’s Injuries?
The first injury to affect Ohtani’s season came in his knee, which kept him off the mound beginning in July. His last start came July 3, and with such little time to ramp up before the end of the year, it’s unlikely he’ll pitch again in 2026.
That wasn’t the only injury affecting his pitching, though, as he also persevered through a biceps injury, he revealed after the All-Star break. That biceps injury only worsened, eventually affecting the superstar’s neck as well, and led to his placement on the injured list.
How Has Shohei Ohtani Performed This Season?
As a pitcher, Ohtani inserted himself into Cy Young conversations before his knee injury derailed his season. He had a 1.79 ERA through 14 starts on the year, striking out 95 batters over the course of 85.2 innings pitched.
Ohtani has played in 134 games as a batter this season, and still has great numbers despite a slump due to his injuries throughout August.
He has 30 homers on the year, marking the sixth consecutive season in which he’s reached that mark, alongside 80 RBIs on the year. His .902 OPS is his lowest since 2022, but is still an incredible number considering he hasn’t been his best this season.
Since Aug. 18, Ohtani has just seven hits in 54 at-bats, posting a .529 OPS for a 58 wRC+ during that stretch.
Who Can Replace Shohei Ohtani?
Both on the mound and in the lineup, the Dodgers prepared well for the possibility of a potential Ohtani injury.
Trading for All-Star left-handed starter Tarik Skubal at the deadline looked overkill at the time, but the Dodgers still have a full rotation despite Ohtani’s absence as a result.
Additionally, the free DH spot in the lineup allowed the team to call up top prospect Josue De Paula, who impressed during his first series against the Miami Marlins.
The Dodgers will hope his placement on the injured list and ample recovery time get him back on track for the rest of the season, as Ohtani is perhaps the most important player in their squad as they aim to win their third consecutive World Series title. That being said, they still have an incredibly talented group who absolutely have the ability to get the job done in his absence.
