The Aporia · Shohei Ohtani on cusp of Dodgers return but in potentially different role

Shohei Ohtani on cusp of Dodgers return but in potentially different role

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Harris, J. (2026, September 23). Shohei Ohtani on cusp of Dodgers return but in potentially different role. New York Post. https://nypost.com/2026/09/22/sports/shohei-ohtani-on-cusp-of-dodgers-return-after-il-stint/

Dated when The Aporia collected the article, usually within hours of publication. Check the original for its exact date and byline.

Quick Summary

Shohei Ohtani is expected to return to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday after being out due to injuries for a 15-day minimum period. Manager Dave Roberts confirmed that unless there are unforeseen issues, Ohtani will be back in the lineup. Although his pitching role remains uncertain, he will likely resume as a designated hitter. The article details how Ohtani’s health has significantly improved during his time on the injured list and discusses potential batting order considerations depending on the upcoming matchups against left or right-handed pitchers.

Written by AI on 2026-09-23, from this article's own text only (the story summary below draws on all the coverage).

AI analysis

Story summary

Shohei Ohtani, the two-way star of the Los Angeles Dodgers, is expected to return from the injured list on Wednesday after spending two weeks nursing right arm and left knee injuries. Manager Dave Roberts confirmed this, stating that unless something changes, Ohtani will be in the lineup. Although Ohtani's health has improved significantly since he went on the IL on September 11th, concerns remain about his full recovery before the postseason begins less than two weeks later.

In a match-up against the San Diego Padres on Wednesday, Ohtani made a strong return but was still not at his best form. He hit a single and drew a walk in four plate appearances during a 5-1 loss to San Diego that ended the Dodgers' 11-game home winning streak.

The Padres clinched their franchise-record third consecutive postseason berth on Thursday, beating the Dodgers 4-2 with help from RBI singles by Fernando Tatis Jr. and Ethan Salas in the seventh inning. This victory narrowed the gap between the two teams for a top NL seed heading into October.

Written for “Dodgers Playoff Race Concerns” on 2026-10-30, grounded in this article and the 6 other(s) covering the same event.

Compared with similar articles

This article reads unscored and hedges 5% of its claims. Each row says how that neighbour differs.

Dodgers' Ohtani set for return Wednesday after IL stint; Roberts says he's 'considerably' better Same event

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Hedges 0 of 10 claims Outlet record 64/100

Dodgers welcome back Edwin Díaz from the IL after a month out with a neck injury Different event

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“The articles describe different events related to Shohei Ohtani but do not report on the same specific incident.”

Dodgers leave door open to Edwin Diaz reclaiming closer’s role: ‘Certainly possible’ Different event

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Hedges 5 of 24 claims Outlet record 66/100

“The articles discuss different topics related to the Dodgers: one about Shohei Ohtani's return from injury and another about Edwin Díaz potentially reclaiming his closer role.”

Shohei Ohtani will play in Dodgers’ regular-season finale — but shouldn’t Different event

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Hedges 3 of 35 claims Outlet record 66/100

“The articles describe different stages of Ohtani's return to play for the Dodgers: Article A discusses his imminent activation, while Article B reports on his performance in games after being activated.”

Ohtani makes productive swing progress on the IL, but no live pitching yet Different event

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Hedges 0 of 9 claims Outlet record 64/100

“The articles describe different stages of Ohtani's recovery and return to play, not the same specific moment or incident.”

Dodgers exec confirms Shohei Ohtani suspicions as injuries potentially impact playoff impact Different event

New York Post

Hedges 0 of 32 claims Outlet record 66/100

“The articles discuss different periods and aspects of Shohei Ohtani's return to the Dodgers, with Article A focusing on his imminent activation after an injury period ending September 23, while Article B discusses the team's handling of his injuries earlier in the season.”

Dodgers’ plan for Shohei Ohtani is unnecessarily risky Different event

New York Post

Hedges 4 of 36 claims Outlet record 66/100

“While both articles discuss Shohei Ohtani's impending return to play for the Dodgers and his health status, they are from different dates and provide distinct information about the plans and risks involved.”

Shohei Ohtani takes key step in Dodgers return, with help of new technology Different event

New York Post

Hedges 4 of 35 claims Outlet record 66/100

“The articles describe different stages of Shohei Ohtani's recovery and return timeline.”

Shohei Ohtani shows progress in injury return, despite Dodgers loss to Padres Different event

New York Post

Hedges 1 of 41 claims Outlet record 66/100

“Article A discusses Ohtani's expected return to the lineup on Wednesday, while Article B covers his actual performance in a game on the following day.”

How this article was measured signals, leaning charts, publisher record, byline, topics and claims

Signals How these are calculated →

Claims extracted

sentences that state something as happening or true

Uncertain

1 of 20 hedged ("reportedly", "may", "according to")

Leaning

not political

takes no side on a contested political question

Publisher signals

66/100

New York Post's corrections and hedging, across everything collected from it. Not a measure of accuracy.

Outlets on this story

Sports

Same framing elsewhere

articles that frame the event the way this one does

Analyzed 2026-09-23 · how these are computed

How this is being covered How these are calculated →

Article leaning vs. publisher reliability

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Publisher

New York Post · 15307 article(s) · 35 correction(s) detected

Running correction rate · 35 correction(s)

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Who wrote this

Jack Harris

92 article(s) here · 1 carrying a prediction

🔮 What Friedman didn’t do, however, was say that the Dodgers would be all-in on Skubal this winter, or that they would do whatever it takes to lock him up in a free agency process that is expected to end with the soon-to-be 30-year-old breaking Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s record guarantee of $325 million for a pitcher.

2026-10-22 · assertive framing · Why Dodgers remain coy on potential Tarik Skubal re-signing: ‘Wish him nothing but the best’

🔮 After the team was eliminated from the National League Championship Series last week, Ohtani said he was not sure if he would need any offseason procedures.

2026-10-21 · assertive framing · Shohei Ohtani will not need offseason surgery, expected to be healthy for start of next year

🔮 When a new CBA is struck, and what changes to the league’s financial structure it could possibly entail, is still anyone’s guess.

2026-10-19 · assertive framing · 5 burning questions that will shape Dodgers offseason –– from Skubal sweepstakes to potential extensions, trades

🔮 This season, the group couldn’t replicate that success, enduring adversity during an injury-plagued regular season and then failure against a relentless Brewers offense in the team’s National League Championship Series elimination.

2026-10-18 · assertive framing · Dodgers 2026 report card: Tarik Skubal trade not enough to save banged-up pitching staff

🔮 “Yes, definitely,” Ohtani said through interpreter Will Ireton on Thursday night, when asked if he intended to return to pitching in 2027.

2026-10-16 · assertive framing · Shohei Ohtani offers blunt response to pitching question, with surgery overtones

🔮 Rojas will remain in the Dodgers’ organization moving forward, having agreed to transition into player development after 2026 when he re-signed as a free agent with the club this winter.

2026-10-16 · assertive framing · Dodgers hero Miguel Rojas announces retirement as he plans to stay with team in new role

🔮 Instead, despite a 100-win regular season and league-record $432 million payroll, the two-time defending champions were eliminated in the National League Championship Series by the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday, ending their bid for history and sending them into an uncertain offseason –– one that could include an extended lockout, notable changes to the roster, and existential questions about how to retool around their aging veteran core.

2026-10-16 · assertive framing · Four fatal flaws that doomed the Dodgers’ bid for a historic three-peat

🔮 Just a fourth-straight loss and an embarrassing elimination that will send the Dodgers into a long, regretful winter full of future uncertainty.

2026-10-16 · assertive framing · Dodgers collapse in Game 4 loss to Brewers, watch three-peat end with NLCS sweep

🔮 After striking out in his first at-bat Thursday night, Ohtani delivered the kind of moment the Dodgers had been waiting for all October, unloading on a down-and-in cutter from ex-Dodger Dustin May to give the Dodgers an early 4-0 lead in their elimination game.

2026-10-16 · assertive framing · Shohei Ohtani electrifies Dodgers with mammoth home run in NLCS Game 4

🔮 Whenever the offseason arrives, notable changes could be coming to the Dodgers’ clubhouse. Freeman and Muncy won’t be going anywhere, nor will other core veterans such as Mookie Betts, Will Smith or Shohei Ohtani. But Miguel Rojas is likely to retire.

2026-10-15 · assertive framing · Dynasty Dodgers trying to keep last ride together going: ‘We have a lot left in the tank.’

Also by Jack Harris

Why Dodgers remain coy on potential Tarik Skubal re-signing: ‘Wish him nothing but the best’

2026-10-22 · New York Post

Shohei Ohtani will not need offseason surgery, expected to be healthy for start of next year

2026-10-21 · New York Post

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2026-10-19 · New York Post

Dodgers 2026 report card: Tarik Skubal trade not enough to save banged-up pitching staff

2026-10-18 · New York Post

Nothing else under this byline is closely related to this article, so these are simply their most recent.

All 92 articles by Jack Harris →

Topics

Dodger Dodgers Padres

Subjects

Ohtani PERSON · 8× Dodgers ORG · 7× Roberts PERSON · 3× Betts PERSON · 1× Dave Roberts PERSON · 1× Dodger NORP · 1× Mookie Betts PERSON · 1× Padres ORG · 1× Robbie Ray PERSON · 1× Shohei Ohtani PERSON · 1×

Narrative

After spending the last two weeks on the injured list nursing right arm and left knee injuries, the Dodgers’ two-way star is expected to be activated on Wednesday, when his minimum 15-day stint on the IL will be up.

framing: assertive · carried by 1 article(s) · first seen 2026-09-23

🔮 After spending the last two weeks on the injured list nursing right arm and left knee injuries, the Dodgers’ two-way star is expected to be activated on Wednesday, when his minimum 15-day stint on the IL will be up.

2026-09-23 · New York Post

Shohei Ohtani on cusp of Dodgers return but in potentially different role · assertive framing

Claims (20 extracted, 1 hedged)

It’s almost all systems go for Shohei Ohtani. asserted

systems → ’ → Ohtani

stint → spend → IL

“Unless I hear otherwise,” manager Dave Roberts said, “he’ll be in the lineup tomorrow.” asserted

he → hear → lineup

The news represents a best-case scenario for the Dodgers and Ohtani, at least relative to where he was at health-wise when he initially went on the IL on Sept. 11 (in a move that was backdated to Sept. 8). asserted

that → represent → Sept.

At that point, the slugger was mired in a 6-for-52 slump at the plate. asserted

slugger → mire → plate

His hopes of returning to pitching this season had been dashed by repeated setbacks in his pitching program. asserted

hopes → return → program

And he had played in just one of the Dodgers’ previous seven games as a designated hitter, after finally showing visible signs of pain from the injuries he had played through for much of the season. asserted

he → play → season

Ohtani was always expected to return to the Dodgers. asserted

Ohtani → expect → Dodgers

But it was an open question of whether that would happen before the end of the regular season. asserted

that → happen → season

And it long ago became clear he was unlikely to get back to 100% this year. asserted

he → become → %

Now, however, the Dodgers at least have some hopeful clarity on the eve of the postseason. asserted

Dodgers → have → postseason

Roberts said Ohtani has felt “considerably” better over the course of his IL stint, noting that “if he was a 5 [out of 10 health-wise] before, he’s probably an 8 or 9 now.” asserted

he → say → 10

On Tuesday, Ohtani was set to check the final box of his return-to-play plan, scheduled to go through coach-pitch batting practice in the team’s hitting cages and his normal workout regimen in the weight room. asserted

Ohtani → set → room

“Given that’s probably a light lift today for him,” Roberts said, “he should be ready to go tomorrow.” asserted

he → give → him

There is still some uncertainty about where Ohtani will slot into the Dodgers’ batting order upon his return. asserted

Ohtani → be → return

The resurgence of Mookie Betts has given the team another viable option in the leadoff spot — the place Ohtani has hit previously in every game this season. asserted

Ohtani → give → game

Roberts said the choice could come down to pitching matchups, hinting that the right-handed-hitting Betts would lead off against left-handed pitchers (including, potentially, Padres southpaw Robbie Ray on Wednesday) and the left-handed-hitting Ohtani would lead off against right-handed pitchers. uncertain

Ohtani → say → pitchers

Either way, just getting Ohtani back represents a boon to the Dodgers’ offense. asserted

getting → get → offense

He will have five games left in the regular season to prepare for the playoffs and try to rediscover his typical production at the plate. asserted

He → have → plate

After missing two weeks with his first IL stint as a Dodger, he is set to return as soon as he was eligible. asserted

he → miss → Dodger