Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani returned to the lineup Wednesday after spending two weeks on the injured list.

Ohtani was activated before Los Angeles' 5-1 loss to the San Diego Padres after missing time because of left knee soreness and right biceps discomfort. It was his first game since Sept. 7, and he was inserted into the No. 2 spot against Padres left-hander Robbie Ray.

The 32-year-old finished 1-for-4 with a walk and two strikeouts. His first at-bat ended with a 99 mph single to right field, and he later hit a 384-foot flyout to center. His biggest missed opportunity came in the fourth inning, when he struck out with the bases loaded during the Dodgers' best scoring chance.

Despite the result, manager Dave Roberts came away encouraged by what he saw from Ohtani.

“He looked good. I thought the at-bat quality was good,” said Roberts. “There wasn't any chase. I thought he hit the ball hardest in his first at-bat. It’s been a while since he’s played in a game, but it just felt like he wasn’t sped up at all.”

In his final games before landing on the IL, Ohtani had appeared physically compromised at the plate, including moments when he shook out his arm and winced. Los Angeles placed him on the injured list on Sept. 9 after trying to manage the lingering issues while keeping him available.

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Ohtani had begun his hitting program about a week before Wednesday's return and had recently faced simulated pitching. He had entered his last game before the IL stint batting .277 with 30 home runs, 80 RBIs, 89 runs and 80 walks through 134 games.

Roberts said Ohtani is expected to return to the lineup Thursday for the series finale. The Dodgers are also still evaluating their batting order against left-handed pitching for the postseason. Against right-handers, Roberts said he would likely put Ohtani back in the leadoff spot and move Mookie Betts to No. 2.

Betts had occupied the leadoff role while Ohtani was away and was batting .366 with six homers, 21 RBIs, 13 walks and 18 runs in 18 September games.

Ohtani won't take the mound in the playoffs, making his health at the plate all the more important as October approaches.