The Los Angeles Dodgers bolster their roster for a pivotal divisional clash against the San Diego Padres as three stars return from injury, aiming to sharpen their timing before the postseason hunt begins.
The Los Angeles Dodgers expect to receive three important reinforcements from the Injured List during their upcoming home series against the San Diego Padres.
Manager Dave Roberts said designated hitter Shohei Ohtani, outfielder Andy Pages and right-hander Roki Sasaki should all be activated at some point this week.
Pages is targeting Tuesday’s series opener, while Sasaki will pitch during one of the three games. Ohtani becomes eligible Wednesday, although his exact return date remains uncertain. Roberts hopes he will be activated that day, with Thursday another possibility.
Ohtani made significant progress this weekend by running the bases and hitting against the Trajekt machine.
The Dodgers have remained confident that he will return before the regular season concludes, but how many at-bats he receives before the postseason remains undetermined.
Pages has been sidelined since Aug. 21, when a 100.2 mph fastball from Pittsburgh Pirates starter Bubba Chandler fractured his left hand.
He underwent surgery a few days later and received an initial recovery timetable of four to five weeks, placing him within the expected return window.
Pages’ breakout season
The injury interrupted a breakout season in which Pages earned his first career All-Star selection and established himself among MLB’s best offensive and defensive center fielders.
Pages is hitting .272 with 21 home runs, 80 RBIs and a .797 OPS in 128 games. Defensively, his +8 Outs Above Average ranks 15th among outfielders.
A Tuesday activation would give Pages six regular season games to prepare for the postseason. He will return without a rehab assignment, making those games essential for rebuilding his timing.
However, Los Angeles does not want to overwork him immediately. According to Dodger Blue, Roberts said playing six consecutive games would be aggressive.
The Dodgers want Pages to receive as many at-bats as possible while ensuring his legs remain strong and avoiding another injury. Roberts described the plan as a balancing act that will require close monitoring.
“So we have obviously, assuming he gets back on Tuesday, then there’s six in a row, and that seems pretty aggressive,” Roberts explained.
“So I think that we do want to get him as many at-bats as possible, but we have to make sure that his legs are under him, feeling good, so we don’t go backward or get injured in that respect. So it is going to be a balancing act, and just keeping a keen eye on Andy for sure.”
Sasaki has been on the Injured List since Aug. 27 because of a blister on his hand. The Dodgers initially considered activating him last week against the Cincinnati Reds, but the humidity created concern that pitching through the blister could cause a setback.
He will instead return against San Diego, although the Dodgers have not selected the day. Sasaki will work as a reliever in preparation for his postseason role.
Pages’ value
Pages gives Los Angeles a complete center fielder capable of affecting games at the plate and in the outfield. His power strengthens the lineup, while his range and instincts provide stability in an important defensive position.
Returning without a rehab assignment will test his timing and conditioning. Pages must balance his natural aggressiveness with patience as he adjusts to MLB pitching again.
His ability to contribute in several ways allows the Dodgers to protect him without removing his influence. Even if Pages does not play every remaining game, his athleticism, confidence and defensive reliability can immediately strengthen the roster.
