Overview
- Shohei Ohtani returned to the Los Angeles Dodgers lineup as the designated hitter on Monday after a four-game absence and has not pitched since July 3 because of a left‑knee inflammation and recent right biceps and neck discomfort.
- Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he does not expect Ohtani to resume pitching this season and that a short injured‑list stint remains an option if symptoms recur.
- Aaron Judge faced live pitching at Yankee Stadium on Monday as part of his ramp from a fractured rib and the Yankees announced he will be in the lineup Tuesday night for the homestand against the Rockies.
- Dodgers closer Edwin Díaz began a Triple‑A rehab assignment this week with a scoreless inning in his first outing, and the Padres plan limited early workloads for right‑hander Nick Pivetta after he comes off the 60‑day injured list.
- Teams across baseball are treating September like an extension of spring training by using controlled rehab appearances and careful workload limits to balance winning the final games with having healthy, rested stars for the postseason.