Fans of the Los Angeles Dodgers expect Shohei Ohtani to be fully healthy for the MLB Playoffs. Los Angeles teased Ohtani's regaining form during the wildcard weekend. Now this National League Divisional Series update will grab fans' attention.
MLB columnist for USA Today Bob Nightengale dropped his intel on Thursday night.
“Dodgers hitting coach Aaron Bates says that Shohei Ohtani is fine physically entering the NLDS and has absolutely no concerns,” Nightengale posted on the social media website X, formerly Twitter.
That means LA and manager Dave Roberts will expect some long-awaited firepower soon. Especially for a team aiming to become a three-peat World Series champion. Los Angeles can join the New York Yankees of the early 2000s as the league's next team to win three consecutive crowns. Plus the Dodgers can become LA's first three-peat champ since the Lakers from 2000 to 2002.
Article Continues BelowOhtani needed to fight through injuries before the playoffs began. But he struggled with establishing consistency at the bat, even going 3-13 at one point. Opposing pitchers struck him out six times during that span. Ohtani managed to pound six home runs, though, during that late stretch.
Yet fans and opponents know the power Ohtani brings when he's at the plate. He's still a contender to win one more MLB Most Valuable Player award. But he and Chicago Cubs star Pete Crow-Armstrong became involved in a two-person race for the league's top individual honor.
But PCA and the Cubs won't be facing the Dodgers in what would've been a highly-anticipated NLDS series. The rival San Diego Padres eliminated Chicago Thursday. LA still awaits the Philadelphia Phillies and Atlanta Braves winner.

