The weeklong wait is over.

Shohei Ohtani is back in the Dodgers’ lineup.

After Ohtani missed each of the team’s last four games while managing ongoing injuries to his left knee and right biceps, the two-way star was back in his customary leadoff spot as the club’s designated hitter for Monday’s series opener against the Reds. 

Los Angeles Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani smiles in the dugout during the first inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals on Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026, in Los Angeles. AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill

It marked Ohtani’s first game since last Wednesday, when his recent break was precipitated by the visible pain he showed while swinging the bat in a season-worst four-strikeout performance.

It will be the start of what the Dodgers hope is a healthier finish to the season for the 32-year-old slugger, who didn’t report any pain during batting cage sessions the previous two days and was nearly used off the bench in Sunday night’s win over the Nationals.

“A lot of it was overall body break, which was needed,” manager Dave Roberts said. “I think that what happens is when a player gets taxed physically, the mentally is affected as well. I think we got to a point where it all sort of came to a head, where I do think these last four days, giving his body a reset, giving his mind a reset … I’m hoping that he’s just in a better state.”

Ohtani’s return also came soon enough that the Dodgers didn’t have to place him on the injured list, a move that would have sidelined him until the final couple weeks of the regular season.

While it’s doubtful that Ohtani will get back to 100% health before the end of the year, the Dodgers weren’t convinced an IL stint would have made much of a difference — and are confident that Ohtani’s health should at least trend upward as he returns to play less than a month before the start of the playoffs.

One dynamic that should help: Ohtani is no longer expected to return as a pitcher this season. Roberts said the team has “put a pin” in the right-hander’s pitching progression for now, making it unlikely that Ohtani (who has not pitched in a game since early July due to his injury problems) will even build up for 1-2 innings in time for the postseason.

“Yes, he loves pitching, loves being a two-way player,” Roberts said. “But right now, it just doesn’t make any sense.”

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki, left, and pitcher Shohei Ohtani watch the game against the Washington Nationals from the dugout during the eighth inning at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Instead, the main priority for the Dodgers will be getting Ohtani’s bat back on track, after he went 6-for-46 in his final 12 games before last week’s absence.

“That’s one part of the thought, to sort of take the pitching off of his plate and really try to let him lock in on being a hitter and get on track,” Roberts said. “Because the last couple of weeks he just hasn’t been himself in the box.”

Monday will present the first test, with the team hopeful that — after four days of rest — it will get a resurgent version of the four-time MVP and a late-season rebound after an injury-plagued second half.

“I am very curious to see how he comes out of tonight,” Roberts said, “to then make the decision for tomorrow and ensuing days.”