Shohei Ohtani is scheduled to begin swinging a bat again on Tuesday, marking a pivotal moment in his recovery from right arm and left knee issues. The Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter, who was placed on the injured list last Wednesday, will start hitting off a tee in Los Angeles. This marks the first hitting activity for Ohtani since he was sidelined.
Prior to this, Ohtani's physical activity was limited to weightlifting, workouts, and treatment, with the team intentionally keeping his workload light. Manager Dave Roberts indicated that this progression aligns with what Ohtani and the training staff had agreed upon. Ohtani has already been shut down from pitching for the remainder of the season due to ongoing setbacks.
In recent weeks, Ohtani had shown visible signs of discomfort while hitting, reportedly experiencing pain that hampered his swing. This led to a slump, with only six hits in 52 at-bats before his placement on the injured list. The team does not anticipate Ohtani returning to 100% health by the start of the playoffs but hopes he can find a more comfortable feel for his swing.
Ohtani is eligible to be activated off the injured list for the final five regular-season games on September 23rd. The Dodgers also have other players dealing with injuries, including Freddie Freeman, who was out of the lineup on Monday with knee issues, and Miguel Rojas, who returned after aggravating a shoulder injury. Andy Pages and Dalton Rushing remain on the IL, though Pages is progressing in his hitting rehabilitation.
The pitching staff also faces challenges, with Roki Sasaki's blister affecting his return and Edwin Díaz's struggles during a minor-league rehab assignment casting doubt on his immediate availability. Roberts acknowledged the widespread injury concerns, stating, "Right now, [all the injuries are] front of mind. It's not great."
Despite the team's injury woes, Ohtani's health remains the most significant concern. Tuesday's tee work will serve as the initial test to gauge the true state of his recovery. Roberts expressed optimism that athletes often find a way to perform better in October, a sentiment the Dodgers will be counting on as they navigate their current health issues.