Shohei Ohtani returns from the injured list and believes his swing is 'in a better place' heading into the Dodgers' NLDS showdown against the Atlanta Braves. However, Ohtani acknowledged he won't be fully healthy, citing lingering left knee and right biceps injuries that plagued him throughout the summer.
'As of now, it's something I'm just going to have to manage,' Ohtani said through an interpreter. The ailments sent him to the IL in early September after a 14-game stretch with seven hits and 22 strikeouts. Since returning, he's been inconsistent but showed promise in recent workouts, with Dodgers hitting coach Aaron Bates noting sessions 'as good as we've seen it this year.'
Despite being compromised for months, Ohtani finished the season batting .275 with 30 homers and 11 stolen bases. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed Ohtani will start, adding that Freddie Freeman and others are also not 100%. 'They've just got to manage it,' Roberts said.
Ohtani plans to make 'little tweaks' to his swing before Game 1, emphasizing he can 'figure out how I feel' regardless of at-bats. Postseason debut is expected Saturday against the Braves.
Source: ESPN MLB · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing