The Aporia · Dodgers' Ohtani set for return Wednesday after IL stint; Roberts says he's 'considerably' better

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

Read the original at Toronto Star ↗

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Harris, B. (2026, September 23). Dodgers' Ohtani set for return Wednesday after IL stint; Roberts says he's 'considerably' better. Toronto Star. https://www.thestar.com/sports/baseball/dodgers-ohtani-set-for-return-wednesday-after-il-stint-roberts-says-he-s-considerably-better/article_80623b72-024f-5bd5-a83e-489516f295b9.html

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 set to return to the Los Angeles Dodgers' lineup on Wednesday after being sidelined since September 9 due to right biceps inflammation and knee soreness. Manager Dave Roberts stated that Ohtani, who missed the team's clinching of their 13th NL West title in 14 years, is now "considerably" better, estimating his condition at an eight or nine on a scale of five. With five games left before the postseason starts, Roberts mentioned considering both Ohtani and Mookie Betts' roles as leadoff hitters depending on the opposing pitcher's handedness.

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 0% of its claims. Each row says how that neighbour differs.

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

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Hedges 1 of 20 claims Outlet record 66/100

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 timeline, not a single specific incident.”

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

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Hedges 0 of 5 claims Outlet record 64/100

“The articles describe different players returning from injury on different dates.”

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Hedges 3 of 46 claims Outlet record 66/100

“The articles discuss different players and events related to the Dodgers at distinct times.”

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Hedges 4 of 35 claims Outlet record 66/100

“The articles describe different stages of Shohei Ohtani's recovery process rather than a single specific incident.”

Mookie Betts thriving batting first: Should he hit leadoff for Dodgers instead of Shohei Ohtani? Different event

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Hedges 2 of 37 claims Outlet record 66/100

“The articles discuss different aspects of Ohtani's status with the Dodgers but do not describe the same specific incident or time.”

Kyle Tucker out of Dodgers lineup as new injury concern surfaces Different event

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Hedges 0 of 17 claims Outlet record 66/100

“The articles describe different events involving separate players and timelines.”

Pitcher from Shohei Ohtani’s alma mater delivers first pitch at Dodgers game Different event

New York Post

Hedges 0 of 11 claims Outlet record 66/100

“The articles describe different events: one about a high school pitcher from Ohtani's alma mater throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at Dodger Stadium, and the other about Ohtani's anticipated return to the Dodgers' lineup after being on the injured list.”

Dodgers recall Sheehan to face Giants, put Skubal on bereavement, hope to have Ohtani back soon Different event

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Hedges 1 of 17 claims Outlet record 64/100

“The articles describe different roster moves and player statuses on separate dates.”

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Hedges 0 of 13 claims Outlet record 66/100

“The articles discuss different updates about two separate players returning to the Dodgers' lineup after injury concerns.”

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Claims extracted

sentences that state something as happening or true

Uncertain

0 of 10 hedged ("reportedly", "may", "according to")

Leaning

not political

takes no side on a contested political question

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64/100

Toronto Star's corrections and hedging, across everything collected from it. Not a measure of accuracy.

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Sports

Same framing elsewhere

articles that frame the event the way this one does

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Who wrote this

Beth Harris

38 article(s) here · 1 carrying a prediction

🔮 Fans will want to circle Jan. 30 on their calendars.

2026-10-26 · assertive framing · JuJu Watkins returns for USC, and the Trojans' title hopes soar in the talent-laden Big Ten

🔮 That helped set up third-string quarterback Kayd Coffman’s 14-yard TD pass to Keshawn Williams in the first quarter.

2026-10-25 · assertive framing · No. 9 UCLA rallies past Michigan State 28-10 for its first 7-0 start since 2005

🔮 The Spartans will visit the historic stadium on Friday to get pictures for their social media accounts, as Fitzgerald put it.

2026-10-22 · assertive framing · A 3-9 rebuild to 6-0: No. 9 UCLA's fast rise meets struggling Michigan State at the Rose Bowl

🔮 If he does, would the recovery bleed into the start of next season?

2026-10-17 · assertive framing · Shohei Ohtani's health and a possible lockout loom over an uncertain offseason for the Dodgers

🔮 Ohtani and Will Smith slumped badly throughout the Division Series win over Atlanta in four games and the NLCS defeat.

2026-10-16 · assertive framing · Dodgers’ dream of World Series 3-peat unravels as Brewers storm back to sweep NLCS

🔮 “They may have a bunch of Hall of Famers, but we’ve got a bunch of gamers — and the gamers won this week,” Milwaukee manager Pat Murphy said.

2026-10-16 · assertive framing · Brewers sweep the Dodgers in the NLCS to reach the World Series for the first time since 1982

🔮 Will Smith, whose offensive struggles mirrored Ohtani’s, moved up to fourth from seventh.

2026-10-16 · assertive framing · Dodgers shake up NLCS lineup, restoring Shohei Ohtani to leadoff with season on the line

🔮 If they can find a way to win, they would host Game 5 on Friday.

2026-10-15 · assertive framing · Dodgers down 3-0 to Brewers in NLCS and must win 4 in a row for chance at 3rd straight championship

🔮 The Brewers extended the lead to 5-2 in the eighth on Justin Wrobleski’s wild pitch that scored Brice Turang, who reached on an infield single and advanced to third on William Contreras’ single.

2026-10-15 · assertive framing · Brewers stun Dodgers with back-to-back homers in 7th inning and take 3-0 lead in NLCS with 6-2 win

🔮 Manager Dave Roberts said Tuesday that Ohtani will bat anywhere from second to sixth with the two-time defending World Series champion Dodgers losing the first two games of the best-of-seven series.

2026-10-14 · assertive framing · Shohei Ohtani will be in Dodgers' Game 3 lineup against Brewers

Also by Beth Harris

JuJu Watkins returns for USC, and the Trojans' title hopes soar in the talent-laden Big Ten

2026-10-26 · Toronto Star

No. 9 UCLA rallies past Michigan State 28-10 for its first 7-0 start since 2005

2026-10-24 · Toronto Star

A 3-9 rebuild to 6-0: No. 9 UCLA's fast rise meets struggling Michigan State at the Rose Bowl

2026-10-22 · Toronto Star

Ty Dieffenbach’s stunning rise: UCLA’s former 3rd-string QB leads unbeaten Bruins

2026-10-18 · Toronto Star

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

All 38 articles by Beth Harris →

Narrative

Claims (10 extracted, 0 hedged)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Shohei Ohtani is expected to be back in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ lineup on Wednesday after a stint on the injured list. asserted

Ohtani → expect → list

The two-way superstar has been on the IL since Sept. 9 due to right biceps inflammation and lingering soreness in his left knee. asserted

superstar → linger → knee

Manager Dave Roberts said Ohtani is feeling “considerably” better. asserted

Ohtani → say → ?

“I would say if he was a five, he’s probably an eight or a nine right now,” Roberts said Tuesday before the Dodgers faced San Diego. asserted

Dodgers → say → Diego

The Dodgers clinched their 13th NL West title in 14 years without Ohtani, who was in Los Angeles for treatment when the team beat Cincinnati on the road last week. asserted

team → clinch → road

Now, the four-time MVP will have five games remaining to get some at-bats in before the postseason begins. asserted

postseason → have → bats

Ohtani is likely to resume his role as the Dodgers’ leadoff hitter, especially against right-handed pitching. asserted

Ohtani → resume → pitching

Mookie Betts has been atop the lineup and is hitting .373 this month. asserted

Betts → hit → .373

“That’s probably the way it’s going to fall out, but I haven’t totally decided yet,” Roberts said, adding that he would consider Betts’ leadoff value against left-handed pitching. asserted

he → ’ → pitching

“I have to think about the entire lineup structure.” asserted

I → have → structure

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

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Claims (10 extracted, 0 hedged)