Shohei Ohtani hitting fifth, lowest spot since 2020

Ohtani single-handedly manufactured a run by swiping second base and advancing to third on an errant throw on the play following a leadoff walk in the second inning. It was Los Angeles’ first postseason run that didn’t come on a home run after their first 10 came via the long ball. He clearly doesn’t look like himself, but it wasn’t a huge factor as the Dodgers still managed to dispatch the Braves with relative ease in a four-game gentleman’s sweep.

Ohtani has gone 2-for-10 during the first three games of the best-of-five showdown against Atlanta and simply hasn’t looked like his usual self since returning from a late-season stint on the injured list to address lingering knee and back issues. There don’t appear to be any plans for the Dodgers to consider giving him any time off this postseason, despite his ongoing struggles at the dish.

Ohtani won’t hit in his typical leadoff spot for Game 1 versus Atlanta, with Mookie Betts hitting leadoff. The official lineup for Los Angeles against the Atlanta bullpen: Betts SS, Ohtani DH, Will Smith C, Freddie Freeman 1B, Teoscar Hernandez LF, Kyle Tucker RF, Andy Pages CF, Max Muncy 3B and Tommy Edman hitting ninth at second base.

Ohtani hit a couple of balls off of the scoreboard during the session and will be in the Dodgers’ lineup for Game 1 of the NLDS on Saturday. While he feels “really good” at the moment, the superstar slugger acknowledged that the injuries are something that he’s going to have to manage for the duration of the postseason.

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.

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.

Ohtani will make his return to Los Angeles’ lineup following a minimum stint on the injured list due to ongoing biceps and knee issues. The 32-year-old generational talent is expected to play in each of their final five games against the Padres and Giants, respectively, to close out the regular season. He’s expected to lead off against right-handed starters with Mookie Betts getting the nod against lefties, a trend that will likely continue into the postseason.

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.