Following a four-game absence, Shohei Ohtani rejoined the Los Angeles Dodgers’ starting batting order on Monday evening.
Serving as the designated hitter and batting in the leadoff spot, Ohtani participated in the Dodgers’ 6-3 victory against the Cincinnati Reds at Dodger Stadium, recording a walk and a pair of strikeouts during the game.
During Sunday’s 7-5 triumph over the Washington Nationals, Ohtani came close to making a pinch-hitting appearance. He warmed up to hit in the eighth inning with his team trailing 5-4. Had either Alex Freeland or Max Muncy reached base at the start of the frame, Ohtani would have substituted for Alex Call. However, Freeland popped out in foul territory and Muncy hit a fly ball to left field.
Even though Ohtani did not pinch-hit, the Dodgers managed to pull ahead when Call hit a single, Tommy Edman walked, and Mookie Betts launched a three-run home run to claim the lead.
His availability to pinch-hit on Sunday served as a clear indicator of his return to the starting lineup the next day. Following Sunday’s victory, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts affirmed his expectation that Ohtani would play on Monday.
The reigning National League MVP had sat out the previous four matchups to recuperate from left biceps, right knee, and neck discomfort. These physical issues had taken a toll, particularly after a four-strikeout performance last week, leading the coaching staff to decide that some rest was necessary.
Throughout August, Ohtani posted a slash line of .241/.322/.422, which fell significantly below his performance during the first four months of the season, despite still contributing six home runs.
The question was whether Ohtani would benefit from an extended rest period on the injured list. The Dodgers faced a deadline on Sunday to finalize this decision in order to backdate his potential IL stint by three days, in accordance with Major League Baseball regulations.
However, placing Ohtani on the IL presented certain complications. Unlike position players who have a 10-day minimum, pitchers must spend at least 15 days on the list, a rule that applies to Ohtani because of his status as a two-way player. With only 19 games remaining in the regular season, the Dodgers were reluctant to go without his bat for over two weeks.
In spite of a difficult performance at the plate from Ohtani, Los Angeles still cruised to a three-run victory, thanks in part to a sixth-inning three-run home run by Teoscar Hernandez that pushed their lead to 5-1.
This victory marks the fifth consecutive win for the Dodgers, bringing their season record to 87-57. They also continue to hold a double-digit lead in the National League West division.
Ohtani Unlikely to Return to the Mound in 2026
Although Ohtani is still officially recognized as a two-way player, his pitching duties for the rest of the 2026 season appear to be over. While the franchise has not made a definitive announcement, Roberts pointed out that the remaining calendar and the necessary timeline for his throwing progression are not matching up.
“If you look at the schedule and how much throwing he’s done this past week, it’s pretty easy to figure out,” Roberts stated, according to MLB.com.
And though he did not rule it out completely, Ohtani confirmed after the game that pitching would not be his primary focus for the remainder of the season.
“Most likely not,” Ohtani remarked through SportsNet LA when asked about a potential return to the mound. “I will be focusing on my hitting going forward.”
Ohtani has not pitched since July 3, largely due to a left knee injury. Over 14 starts, he compiled a 1.79 ERA, an 8-2 record, and struck out 95 batters over 85 2/3 innings. The Dodgers have been concerned that his efforts to return to pitching may have ultimately hindered his hitting, as biceps and neck issues began to surface.
Even without Ohtani’s pitching, the Dodgers maintain a starting rotation consisting of Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tarik Skubal, Blake Snell, and Tyler Glasnow. Eric Lauer has filled in for Roki Sasaki, who is currently on the IL with a blister. Sasaki might start once he returns, but he is expected to transition to a relief role during the playoffs.
Additionally, Emmet Sheehan was promoted from Triple-A and is starting Monday’s contest. During a previous stint with Los Angeles this year, he posted a 5.29 ERA and surrendered 93 hits in 95 1/3 innings. That performance led to a demotion to Oklahoma City, where he subsequently recorded a 1.50 ERA with 24 strikeouts across 18 innings.
