Story perspectives

Ohtani could return Monday after four-game absence

9/7/2026

Summary

Story summary

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Shohei Ohtani could rejoin the lineup on Monday.
Ohtani missed four straight games with left-knee, right-biceps, neck and hip soreness.
He felt well after Saturday’s indoor batting-cage work, prompting a possible DH start.
Roberts noted calendar math makes another start this season unlikely.
Ohtani is batting .279 with 30 homers, 80 RBIs and an 8-2 record with a 1.79 ERA.

History

Historical Context

In 1995, Hideo Nomo’s debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers marked the first Japanese pitcher to win a Major League game, igniting MLB’s Japan focus. Nomo posted a 13-win, 2.54 ERA season, while the Dodgers sold over $30 million in Japanese-related merchandise nationwide, boosting profits significantly. Today, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts monitors Shohei Ohtani’s multi-injury recovery, noting his .279 average, 30 homers, and 80 RBIs mirror Nomo’s early impact. If Ohtani returns, his dual-role performance could cement the Dodgers’ trans-Pacific strategy, echoing Nomo’s legacy of expanding MLB’s global market.

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Story summary

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Shohei Ohtani could rejoin the lineup on Monday.
Ohtani missed four straight games with left-knee, right-biceps, neck and hip soreness.
He felt well after Saturday’s indoor batting-cage work, prompting a possible DH start.
Roberts noted calendar math makes another start this season unlikely.
Ohtani is batting .279 with 30 homers, 80 RBIs and an 8-2 record with a 1.79 ERA.

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