Shohei Ohtani begins swinging a bat, Dodgers remain hopeful for 2026 return

Shohei Ohtani has commenced his journey back to the Los Angeles Dodgers lineup. While he is not participating in their current three-game series against the Cincinnati Reds, the outfielder initiated his hitting regimen in Los Angeles, reporting a positive experience after working off a tee, according to manager Dave Roberts. Roberts emphasized that there will be a gradual progression towards Ohtani's return to the field.

Although the timing of his comeback remains uncertain, the manager expressed optimism that Ohtani could rejoin the team before the postseason, potentially for the final regular season series against the San Francisco Giants on September 25th. In Ohtani's absence, rookie pitcher Josue De Paula has made a promising impact for the Dodgers.

Despite a modest batting average of .182, De Paula has demonstrated strong plate discipline, drawing five walks without committing any strikeouts in his first five games. His first major league hit came in the form of a powerful home run, a towering 416-foot blast to right field in Miami. Manager Roberts moved De Paula up to the leadoff spot in the batting order for Tuesday's game against the Reds, praising his at-bat quality.

While acknowledging that De Paula is still in a trial phase, Roberts has not ruled out the possibility of the 21-year-old becoming a postseason asset as a left-handed hitter off the bench. The manager emphasized the importance of giving De Paula a difficult decision in terms of his future with the team.