Is Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani returning Monday vs. Reds?

The Los Angeles Dodgers naturally attract attention for all of their big-money moves, but their lower-key gambits have yielded championship success over the last two years. Acquiring a then-injured Tommy Edman in a three-team trade in 2024 and trusting both Miguel Rojas and Andy Pages in Game 7 of the 2025 World Series was incredibly impactful. Resting Shohei Ohtani could be another difference-making decision.

Fans just hope that a mini-break is long enough. The Dodgers have opted to keep the four-time MVP off the injured list and allow him a few days to recharge instead. This rest period is nearing its end, but when exactly will Ohtani reenter the batter’s box this season? Curiosity is rising ahead of LA’s Labor Day home game versus the Cincinnati Reds.

Shohei Ohtani’s status for Dodgers-Reds

After Mookie Betts lifted Los Angeles to a 7-4 win over the Washington Nationals on Sunday, manager Dave Roberts said that he expects Ohtani to play on Monday, per MLB.com’s Sonja Chen. The 32-year-old Japanese superstar has missed the last four games, as he deals with lingering left knee issues and discomfort in the right biceps and neck area.

Following a rough finish to August, it was clear that Ohtani needed to hit the reset button in the final month of the regular season. Even though the Dodgers are battling the Atlanta Braves for the No. 2 seed in the National League (first-round bye in the playoffs), they understand the importance of getting their top offensive player healthy for high-stakes baseball. Or at least as healthy as reasonably possible.

If Shohei Ohtani is indeed playing against the Reds, he will walk right into the fire and face electric right-hander Chase Burns. The 2025 National League Championship Series MVP is usually the one doing the intimidating, however. Despite the questions surrounding his durability, he is still batting .279 with 30 home runs, a .381 on-base percentage, .525 slugging percentage and .906 OPS in 129 games.

The Dodgers (86-57) have seven-games versus the last-place Reds, three against the .500 Miami Marlins and six vs. the lowly San Francisco Giants before season’s end, so Ohtani should have plenty of chances to boost those numbers and get back into a groove.

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