Shohei Ohtani Ready for Dodgers Return After Biceps and Knee Injury

Ohtani back in action

Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani is expected to return to the lineup on Wednesday. This is the first day he is eligible to come off the injured list. Manager Dave Roberts shared some good news about the player's recovery.

Roberts said Ohtani looks considerably healthier than he did a couple of weeks ago. On a scale of one to ten, Roberts said that if Ohtani was a five before, he is probably an eight or a nine right now.

The 32 year old went on the injured list on Sept. 8 due to pain in his right biceps and left knee. He will only hit for the rest of this season. Before his injury, he was struggling at the plate, with only seven hits and 22 strikeouts in his last 54 at-bats.

Preparing for the postseason

Ohtani has been working hard to get back. He started hitting a week ago, taking up to 40 swings against a pitching simulator and running the bases. He also did his usual pregame workout on Tuesday.

The plan is for Ohtani to play in all five remaining regular season games to get used to major league pitching again. He will likely bat first against right handed pitchers.

However, Mookie Betts has been in great form, hitting .373 in September. Because of this, Roberts is thinking about batting Betts first against left handed pitchers instead.

The Dodgers also welcomed back pitcher Roki Sasaki and center fielder Andy Pages on Tuesday. Sasaki recovered from a blister and is in the bullpen, while Pages is back from a fractured hand.