Dodgers place Shohei Ohtani on injured list, Josue De Paula called up

By Mark Delaney — 10 September 2026 — 4 min read

Ohtani Placed on Injured List

The Los Angeles Dodgers have placed two-way player Shohei Ohtani on the injured list. This marks his first time on the IL since joining the team in 2024. Ohtani has been managing discomfort in his right biceps and left knee for several weeks, leading to his absence from six of the team’s last seven games. He recently missed four consecutive games before making an appearance against the Cincinnati Reds.

Following his Monday appearance, Ohtani stated he felt good, but the Dodgers kept him out of subsequent games to allow for a gradual return. Manager Dave Roberts indicated that the concern stemmed from Ohtani feeling discomfort during an at-bat after a four-day rest. Roberts noted that the team had attempted to manage the situation for as long as possible.

The minimum IL stint for a two-way player is 15 days. The Dodgers can retroactively date Ohtani’s IL period to Monday, potentially allowing him to return for the final week of the MLB season. Roberts expressed confidence that Ohtani would be ready by the 15th day, particularly if the postseason were to begin immediately.

Ohtani will remain in Los Angeles while the team embarks on a seven-game road trip starting in Miami. The plan is for him to recover and gradually increase his activity. Roberts had previously stated that Ohtani would not make any further pitching appearances in the 2026 season, having not pitched since July 3 and halting all throwing workouts after August 28. This season, Ohtani recorded an 8-2 record with a 1.79 ERA and 95 strikeouts over 85 and 2/3 innings pitched. He has also maintained a .277 batting average with 30 home runs and 80 runs batted in.

Top Prospect Josue De Paula Promoted

In a corresponding move, the Dodgers are calling up top outfield prospect Josue De Paula to take Ohtani’s spot on the roster. The team is off tomorrow, with the move expected to become official before Friday’s series opener in Miami, where De Paula is slated to make his big-league debut against the Miami Marlins.

De Paula, a 21-year-old from Brooklyn, has spent his entire age-21 campaign at the Double-A level. He has achieved a .302/.400/.539 slash line across 583 plate appearances, hitting 26 home runs, 36 doubles, and two triples. He has also stolen 31 bases, though he was caught 10 times. Scouting reports suggest his baserunning may not be a primary aspect of his game, as he is considered a below-average runner.

His hitting and power combination is regarded as among the best in the minor leagues, demonstrated by his performance against generally older Double-A pitchers. De Paula ranks seventh among Texas League hitters with a .939 OPS, among those with a minimum of 200 plate appearances. He is the second-youngest player among the league’s top 10 hitters. He has also shown strong plate discipline, with a 13.7% walk rate and a strikeout rate below 15%.

The Dodgers are making the rare decision to promote De Paula directly from Double-A, bypassing Triple-A. This marks the first time in 12 years under president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman that the team has called up a position player prospect directly from Double-A. De Paula is highly regarded, ranking fourth among prospects by Baseball America, sixth by MLB Pipeline, and 10th by ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel. He also appeared on pre-deadline lists from Keith Law of The Athletic and Eric Longenhagen/Brendan Gawlowski of FanGraphs.

De Paula is primarily valued for his offensive capabilities, particularly from the left-handed batter’s box. He is considered a below-average corner outfielder, with some evaluators projecting him as a pure designated hitter. Roberts expressed confidence in De Paula’s ability to handle at-bats, noting his consistent performance in controlling the strike zone and facing velocity during his time in camp.

There is a possibility that De Paula could earn a spot on the playoff roster. Players only need to be in the organization by September 1 to be postseason eligible, not necessarily on the 40-man roster. The Dodgers would need to petition MLB for his inclusion, a request typically granted to teams annually. This late-season call-up will not significantly impact his service time, as he will accrue 17 days by season’s end, retaining his rookie status and eligibility for the Prospect Promotion Incentive next year. The Dodgers are expected to have him under club control for at least six full seasons under the current collective bargaining agreement, with arbitration eligibility not before the 2029-30 offseason.

The Dodgers currently have a full 40-man roster, meaning they will likely need to designate a player for assignment on Friday to accommodate De Paula.

Source: mlbtraderumors.com