Dodgers Activate Shohei Ohtani, Option Red-Hot Prospect Josue De Paula

The Los Angeles Dodgers are getting their superstar back, which means a rookie who just mashed his way through a cup of coffee has to pack his bags.

MLB Trade Rumors relayed the inevitable roster crunch on Wednesday: Los Angeles officially reinstated Shohei Ohtani from the 15-day injured list and optioned top prospect Josue De Paula.

"MLB Trade Rumors reported the Dodgers reinstated Shohei Ohtani and optioned Josue De Paula."

De Paula did exactly what you want a highly touted prospect to do when the franchise anchor needs a breather. The kid jumped straight from Double-A Tulsa, reached base six times in his first 11 at-bats, launched his first major league home run, and posted a ridiculous 1.081 OPS across 31 total at-bats. Sending him down after that feels like getting fired for doing your job too well, but that is the reality of sharing a roster with a unicorn.

Ohtani hits the active roster just in time for the stretch run. He was shelved earlier this month with left knee and right biceps issues, pausing a season where he has already racked up 30 home runs and a .902 OPS. The Dodgers managed to survive without him, sitting at 90-59 and holding a four-game lead over the Atlanta Braves for the National League's number two seed and a crucial first-round bye.

Getting Ohtani back in the designated hitter spot completely shifts the math for opposing pitchers and live betting totals. Los Angeles is gearing up for a massive divisional series against the San Diego Padres starting Wednesday, and dropping a rested Ohtani into the middle of that lineup is a nightmare scenario for a San Diego pitching staff trying to secure their own playoff positioning.

De Paula will be back, likely as a permanent fixture in 2027. But right now, the Dodgers are in championship-or-bust mode, and you do not leave a healthy Ohtani in the dugout when October is knocking on the door.