Roberts: Shohei Ohtani likely to return Wednesday

Betts’ home run was his 23rd of the season. He hit a solo shot off Matt Wilkinson in the third inning. Betts has been on fire in September, going 30-for-87 (.344) with seven home runs and 22 RBI in 22 games. After going 16-for-70 (.228) with no home runs and eight RBI in 17 playoff games last year, Betts is looking for better results this October.

Ohtani’s two outs tonight were both barrels traveling a projected 382 and 372 feet. The RBI double was hit 106.8 mph to the gap in left center off a 102.6-mph fastball from Mason Miller in the ninth. That makes for a very encouraging night, even if he didn’t totally fill up the box score in his second game back from the IL.

A moderately successful first game back. Ohtani singled in the first and barreled a ball 384 feet to center for a flyout in the seventh.

Betts remains in the leadoff spot with Shohei Ohtani back from the injured list. The 33-year-old shortstop has been one of the hottest hitters in baseball recently, batting .366 (26-for-71) with six homers, 21 RBI and one steal in 18 games since the start of September.

Ohtani returns to Los Angeles’ lineup for Wednesday’s showdown against the Padres following a minimum stint on the injured list due to ongoing biceps and knee issues. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters earlier this week that Ohtani is feeling much better following the extra time off, which is an extremely positive development heading into the postseason where his formidable bat is indispensable. The 32-year-old generational talent has still managed to hit .277/.380/.522 with 89 runs scored, 30 homers, 80 RBI and 11 steals in 596 plate appearances during an injury-plagued season.

Roberts also noted that the plan will be for him to play in every game once he does return, as he needs the at-bats to get ready for the postseason. The superstar slugger has been hitting off of the Trajekt machine and running the bases without issue over the weekend and it looks increasingly likely that he’ll be activated from the injured list when first eligible on Wednesday.

Ohtani is eligible to return Wednesday, and it looks like that’ll be the day. He’s currently on the IL with knee and biceps injuries, but he was able to hit off a Trajekt machine and run the bases on the field Saturday.

Betts homered twice on Friday, and he has 10 hits in three days, raising his OPS from .738 to .785. That’s quite a boost this late in the season. He entered September at .701.

Ohtani, who is sidelined with biceps and knee issues, resumed hitting earlier this week and swung against a Trajekt machine today. He’s eligible to come off the IL on Wednesday, though Friday might be a more realistic return date.

Betts was fortunate to be playing in Dodger Stadium tonight, as his homers would have been out of only eight and five ballparks, respectively. He’s hit .356/.457/.726 in September., Even through just 15 games, his six homers and 18 RBI are season highs for a month this season.