On Sunday, the Los Angeles Dodgers moved to 96-60 on the 2026 MLB season with a home win over the San Francisco Giants. The Dodgers played this game without several key players, including pitcher Shohei Ohtani, who has been on the 15-day injured list due to a knee issue.

However, the team has since gotten an optimistic update on his status heading into this week's series vs the San Diego Padres.

“The Dodgers expect to see Shohei Ohtani back soon after his first stint on the injured list since joining the team in 2024. It could come against the Padres,” reported the Associated Press, per ESPN.

“I think there's a difference between discomfort and pain,” manager David Roberts said. “Is it 100%? Probably not. Is it better than it was a week ago? Yes. Honestly, I think that's just a better question for Shohei to give specifics. But I do think that when he's activated, it's going to be the best physical place he's been in in quite some time.”

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The Dodgers are also expected to get pitcher Andy Pages back against the Padres after he has been out for around a month with a fractured hand.

“Things are starting to come together,” Roberts said.

For the second straight regular season, injuries have played a big role in the Dodgers' story this year, but the team's depth and sheer amount of star power have helped them weather the storm and secure their 13th NL West crown in the last 14 years.

The Dodgers are hoping to secure a third straight World Series championship this year, and having Ohtani and Pages back and healthy, with some time to ramp up before the playoffs, will certainly help in that effort.