Dodgers to activate Ohtani off IL Wednesday, Roberts says

The Los Angeles Dodgers are set to get their MVP back just at the right time.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters Tuesday that Shohei Ohtani is set to be activated from the injured list on Wednesday for the second game of the club's series with the San Diego Padres.

Ohtani has been sidelined with right arm discomfort since Sept. 9 after dealing with lingering soreness in his right biceps and left knee for multiple weeks.

The four-time MVP will be strictly limited to designated hitter duties for the rest of the year after previously announcing that he would not pitch again this season right before his IL stint.

Although he has continued producing at an elite level for the Dodgers this season, the 32-year-old hasn't quite reached the highs of his first two years in L.A. Over 134 games at the plate, Ohtani has posted a .902 OPS with 30 homers and 80 RBIs.

In 85.2 innings on the mound, the 32-year-old posted a 1.79 ERA with 95 strikeouts.

The Dodgers will hope Ohtani can help them secure a first-round bye — and maybe more — in the National League playoff field over their final six games. They enter Tuesday's action with a 96-60 record, two games behind the top-seeded Milwaukee Brewers and four ahead of the Atlanta Braves.