Dodgers Option Prospect Josue De Paula Amid Roster Crunch, But Playoff Eligibility Remains
The Dodgers sent top prospect Josue De Paula to the minors to make room for Shohei Ohtani's return, but he is expected to be eligible for the postseason.
Josue De Paula will not finish the regular season on the Los Angeles Dodgers' active roster, but he is still expected to have a strong chance for a postseason roster spot. The Dodgers optioned the 21-year-old slugger to the minor leagues on Wednesday, a move made to accommodate the return of Shohei Ohtani from the injured list.
De Paula's 11-game MLB debut concluded with the corresponding roster move, but the decision was influenced by multiple factors, including the impending return of catcher Dalton Rushing from the injured list later this week. With Ohtani activated, two position players were slated to be removed from the active roster. While Alex Freeland was a likely candidate, De Paula's situation presented a complex roster dilemma.
Beyond De Paula, who had been filling in as the designated hitter in Ohtani's absence, the Dodgers considered few other feasible options to swap out. The team also noted that De Paula and Rushing, who is currently limited to hitting due to an elbow injury, would essentially occupy the same role as left-handed pinch-hitting options. This situation would create a limited number of at-bats for both players in the remaining regular-season games.
Activating Rushing was considered necessary, as he may be needed during the postseason despite missing significant time due to injury. This strategic move allows Rushing to potentially get a few at-bats off the bench before the playoffs.
By optioning De Paula on Wednesday, the Dodgers ensured his eligibility for the National League Division Series, which begins on Oct. 3. Players who are optioned must typically wait at least 10 days before returning to MLB rosters, barring injuries. De Paula also has the option to join Triple-A Oklahoma City for their Pacific Coast League championship series in the interim.
De Paula was not on the Dodgers' 40-man roster as of Sept. 1, which would normally require a petition to MLB for postseason eligibility. However, since he was in the organization prior to that date, his eligibility is considered a formality.
The Dodgers now face a decision regarding their postseason roster, specifically who will serve as the left-handed bat off the bench: De Paula or Rushing. Rushing brings more big-league experience and had a respectable performance before his injury, batting .249 with 12 home runs and 36 RBIs. De Paula, however, has made a significant impact since his debut, recording 10 hits in 31 at-bats over his first 11 games, including five extra-base hits, one home run, seven RBIs, and 11 walks against only five strikeouts, resulting in an on-base percentage of .500.
Manager Dave Roberts acknowledged the difficulty of the decision, stating, "Hitting off the bench is very difficult, and so you’re just trying to figure out who gives us the best chance." He also noted that Rushing's time missed might make it tougher for him to secure a spot, while De Paula's recent consistent at-bats give him an advantage. The team intends to use the remaining games to evaluate Rushing's readiness before making a final roster determination.