Photo Credit: Jason Szenes for CA Post
The Los Angeles Dodgers have placed Shohei Ohtani on the 15-day injured list because of continued discomfort in his right arm, manager Dave Roberts announced Wednesday.
Ohtani has missed six of the Dodgers’ last seven games because of the issue. The move comes as Los Angeles prepares for the postseason, with Roberts saying the extended rest should give the four-time MVP time to recover and rebuild his swing.
The Dodgers will replace Ohtani on the roster with top prospect Josue De Paula, who will join the team Friday in Miami and is expected to handle most of the at-bats at designated hitter while Ohtani is sidelined.
Ohtani Expected to Return Before Playoffs
Because Ohtani is a two-way player, he must spend at least 15 days on the injured list. His stint can be backdated to his last appearance Monday, making Sept. 23 the earliest possible return date.
That would leave Ohtani with a maximum of five regular-season games to prepare for the playoffs.
Roberts said the decision to place Ohtani on the IL was necessary after the team could not determine whether additional days off would be enough to resolve the problem.
“It’s the right thing to do,” Roberts said. “We tried to kick the can as much as we could.”
Ohtani originally missed time after shaking his right arm following a strikeout last week. He returned Monday but went 0-for-3 with a walk and two strikeouts before experiencing pain in his right arm during one of his swings.
Roberts said Ohtani will take several days off before gradually resuming hitting activities.
“If it were a postseason game tomorrow, he would be in the lineup,” Roberts said. “Now you’re talking about two weeks, 14 days. I feel that it’s that substantial. He’ll be in a much better place than he was today.”
Ohtani has also dealt with soreness in his left knee and has not pitched since July 3. He acknowledged Monday that he would most likely not pitch again this season.
Despite maintaining a .902 OPS with 30 home runs and 11 stolen bases this season, Ohtani has struggled at the plate recently. He has recorded just seven hits with 22 strikeouts in his last 54 at-bats.
Dodgers Call Up Top Prospect De Paula
With Ohtani heading to the IL, the Dodgers are promoting De Paula directly from Double-A Tulsa.
The 21-year-old outfielder is ranked among the top prospects in baseball and has put together an impressive season in the minors. He hit .303 with a .401 on-base percentage, a .547 slugging percentage, 27 home runs, 104 RBIs and 31 stolen bases.
De Paula is expected to receive most of the playing time at designated hitter during Ohtani’s absence, although he can also contribute in the outfield.
The Dodgers signed De Paula out of the Dominican Republic for $397,500 in 2022. He quickly moved through the organization and established himself as one of its top young players.
Los Angeles also viewed De Paula as an important part of its future during the season. The Dodgers reportedly refused to include him in trade discussions for Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal this summer.
De Paula was named the 2025 Futures Game MVP and will join the Dodgers for their upcoming road trip through Miami and Cincinnati.
Dodgers Prioritize Ohtani’s Postseason Health
The Dodgers have continued to win despite Ohtani’s recent absence. Their seven-game winning streak has strengthened their position in the National League playoff race as they pursue another division title.
That success gives Los Angeles some flexibility to prioritize Ohtani’s recovery rather than rushing him back into the lineup.
Roberts remains confident that the additional recovery time will leave Ohtani in a better position for October.
“Is it going to be 100%? Probably not,” Roberts said. “But I do think, with this time that we’re taking now, he’ll be in an adequate spot to finish the season and beyond.”
For the Dodgers, the goal is now to have Ohtani healthy enough to contribute when the games matter most, while De Paula gets an opportunity to make an immediate impact at the major league level.
