Shohei Ohtani’s health has become the Dodgers’ biggest concern with the postseason less than three weeks away. Los Angeles placed Ohtani on the 15-day injured list Friday because of left knee inflammation and right biceps soreness.
The Dodgers entered Saturday at 90–57 and held an 11-game lead in the National League West. They remain a leading World Series contender, but the club must now prepare for October without knowing whether Ohtani will be ready for the opening round.
Ohtani Cannot Return Until Sept. 23
Ohtani missed six of seven games before the Dodgers made the injured-list move. He returned Sept. 7 against the Cincinnati Reds after four days off, but went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts and a walk. The club determined that his knee and biceps had not recovered enough for him to stay in the lineup.
Manager Dave Roberts said the Dodgers had tried to manage Ohtani’s workload, but his condition did not improve. The team backdated the injured-list stint to Sept. 8, making Sept. 23 the earliest possible return date.
That schedule leaves Los Angeles with only five regular-season games after Ohtani becomes eligible. The Dodgers close the season with a six-game homestand against the Colorado Rockies and San Francisco Giants, then could open the postseason in the National League Division Series if they hold one of the league’s top two seeds.
Ohtani has not pitched since July 3. His knee issue limited his pitching workload during the second half, and the Dodgers do not expect him to return to the mound during the regular season. His availability as a hitter will be the immediate focus.
The four-time MVP entered the injured list with a .277 batting average, 30 home runs, 80 RBIs, 89 runs, and a .902 OPS. He also posted a .380 on-base percentage and a .522 slugging percentage.
His production had slowed before the injury. Ohtani went 2-for-26 with no extra-base hits and no RBIs over his final seven games. He struck out 22 times in 66 plate appearances from Aug. 18 through Sept. 7.
The Dodgers can afford to be cautious because of their position in the standings. They cannot afford a prolonged absence once the postseason begins.
Betting In Japan Reflects Ohtani’s Impact
The rise of MLB betting in Japan reflects how Ohtani has expanded interest in Dodgers games, player performance, and postseason forecasts. Fans now follow standings, starting pitchers, injury reports, and World Series odds with more attention because the Dodgers sit at the center of baseball’s title race.
The Dodgers’ 2025 Tokyo Series against the Chicago Cubs showed the size of that audience. The first game drew more than 25 million viewers in Japan, making it the most-watched MLB game ever in the country. More than 23 million watched the second game.
MLB reported that Tokyo Series merchandise sales exceeded the prior record for an international MLB event by 320%. Ohtani’s Tokyo Series Dodgers jersey became the event’s most popular item.
Ohtani and Yamamoto also ranked first and second, respectively, in MLB jersey sales to open the 2026 season. Ohtani has led the sport in jersey sales for three consecutive years across the United States, Japan, and worldwide.
The current story is no longer about popularity. It is about the Dodgers’ calendar and Ohtani’s recovery. He has less than two weeks to rest before his return window opens. The Dodgers have a division lead to protect, a playoff seed to secure, and a championship pursuit that depends on his health.
Dodgers Remain World Series Favorite
Los Angeles has played like a championship favorite even without Ohtani in the lineup. The Dodgers entered Saturday on an eight-game winning streak after beating the Miami Marlins 6–2 on Friday night.
The club’s 90–57 record has built a significant cushion over San Diego in the National League West. That advantage gives Roberts and the front office time to get Ohtani healthy rather than forcing him back into regular-season games that carry limited urgency.
Current World Series odds still place the Dodgers as the favorite. FanGraphs gives Los Angeles a 28.6% chance to win the World Series, more than twice the probability of any other team. The Dodgers have also been listed around +180 to win the championship.
Those projections reflect the Dodgers’ record, their postseason experience, and a roster that can withstand short-term absences. Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Will Smith, Teoscar Hernández, and Max Muncy give the lineup multiple established run producers. Yamamoto remains a frontline starter, while the Dodgers expect to set their postseason rotation around their healthiest arms.
Still, Ohtani changes the ceiling of the roster. He has supplied 30 home runs, 80 RBIs, and an elite on-base presence from the leadoff spot. Before his pitching shutdown, he also provided another high-end option for a rotation built for October.
The Dodgers have won without him this month. They will need him to return at full strength if they plan to defend their World Series title.
