Dodgers Star Shohei Ohtani Returns With A Bang After Day Off

CHICAGO — Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani stepped into nan Rate Field batter’s container for nan first clip this bid connected Saturday, greeted by a smattering of boos from White Sox fans.

He took his first plaything astatine nan 2nd transportation of nan game. And he sent it into nan right-field stands. A no-doubter, proclaiming that his readiness was nary longer successful doubt.

Ohtani returned to nan lineup for the Dodgers’ 7-1 win against nan White Sox connected Saturday, aft exiting nan Dodgers’ game Thursday against nan Pittsburgh Pirates and missing Friday against nan White Sox because of inflammation successful his near knee.

“I felt bully waking up successful nan morning,” Ohtani said done expert Will Ireton aft going 1 for 3 pinch a location runs and 3 walks Saturday. “I consciousness bully now. So I’m beautiful assured that I’ll beryllium capable to enactment healthy, and should beryllium bully to spell [Sunday] arsenic well.”

Ohtani besides tested his knee playing drawback earlier nan crippled Saturday. And nan Dodgers will proceed to show him arsenic he prepares to return nan mound Wednesday against nan Tampa Bay Rays astatine Dodger Stadium.

“It wasn’t 100% today,” Ohtani said. “But pinch nan adjacent three, 4 days, I consciousness beautiful confident, pinch capable recovery, that I should beryllium capable to make nan adjacent start.”

Even Ohtani said he hasn’t been capable to pinpoint nan origin of nan swelling. But he has a theory.

“All I tin really cognize for judge is that I deliberation my mechanics weren’t rather awesome successful position of my pitching side,” he said, “so I judge that had thing to do pinch this.”

Even earlier Ohtani’s knee swelled nan Dodgers planned to person him transportation nan time earlier their Thursday disconnected day.

They switched Ohtani and left-hander Justin Wrobleski successful nan rotation order, having Wrobleski transportation Thursday connected regular rest.

That remains nan plan, moreover aft Wrobleski was deed successful nan limb by a comebacker during his commencement Thursday. He near nan crippled aft that play successful nan 5th inning pinch a bruised correct hamstring.

The Dodgers considered bringing successful a spot starter, head Dave Roberts said, successful bid to support nan afloat rotation connected other rest.

Shohei Ohtani leads disconnected nan crippled pinch a location tally to spark nan Dodgers to a 7-1 triumph complete nan White Sox connected Saturday.

(Matt Marton / Associated Press)

“But considering really Wrobo’s commencement went short, feels bully aft it, we consciousness nan 4 days’ remainder will beryllium good for him,” Roberts said. “And past wherever Shohei is at, we consciousness bully astir conscionable leaving it position quo.”

Ohtani returned Saturday without restrictions successful his designated hitter domiciled — isolated from 1 petition from his manager, aft a mates days of parsing whether a bargain effort that was snuffed retired by a foul shot had contributed to Ohtani’s injury.

Though they didn’t find a clear origin for nan injury, Roberts made it clear Saturday: “There will beryllium nary basestealing.”