Shohei Ohtani returns to Dodgers, making lineup whole for World Series push

Shohei Ohtani is back. And, for the first time all year, the Dodgers’ lineup is finally whole.

As expected on Wednesday, Ohtani was activated off the injured list following a 15-day stint, returning as soon as he was eligible amid ongoing right arm and left knee injuries.

Of course, both issues still figure to impact the two-way star for the rest of the season. He won’t pitch in the playoffs. He could have to work around a compromised swing.

However, he’ll have five regular-season games left now to try to rediscover a rhythm, hoping to bounce back from his injury-hampered second half of the season.

Ohtani’s time off left him feeling “considerably” better, according to manager Dave Roberts, allowing him to return as early as possible from the IL and get at least a week’s worth of at-bats before the beginning of the playoffs.

If that can help the Dodgers get any consistent production out of Ohtani come October, it might represent a win. Because while he might still be limited, the rest of their lineup is not.

With Ohtani back on Wednesday, the team was able to trot out its preferred starting nine for the first time all season — getting all of its biggest stars’ health synced up just in time for a World Series three-peat push.

Notably, Ohtani did not return to his typical leadoff spot in the batting order on Wednesday. Instead, he was bumped to the two-hole while a red-hot Mookie Betts occupied the No. 1 slot.

Roberts said the Dodgers could continue to use that permutation for the rest of the year, at least in games against left-handed starters (such as the San Diego Padres’ Robbie Ray on Wednesday).

What was more important, though, was the way Ohtani would look (and feel) in his latest attempt to overcome his dueling physical problems.

Leading up to his IL stint, the four-time MVP was mired in a 6-for-52 slump and showing visible signs of pain with his swing.

Now, the Dodgers are hoping his two weeks off were enough for him to turn his season back around.

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