Shohei Ohtani returned to the Dodgers' lineup after missing four games due to multiple injuries. According to multiple reports, the absences involved knee, neck, and biceps issues, marking the longest consecutive games Ohtani has missed during his two seasons with Los Angeles.

Ohtani came back as the designated hitter in the Dodgers' 6-3 win over the Reds, per Yahoo Sports. The Dodgers went 4-0 during his absence, including a sweep of the Washington Nationals. However, one report suggested his return "inspires little confidence," describing his performance as "nothing to write home about."

Regarding his pitching status, MLB.com and Yahoo Sports report that Ohtani is unlikely to pitch again in 2026. MLB.com noted that the two-way star hopes to use the remainder of the season as "a learning experience" in order to return to pitching next year.