Dodgers expect Shohei Ohtani back before end of regular season

Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani took swings off a tee Tuesday as he works toward returning from the injured list before the playoffs.

"Shohei hit off the tee and felt good today," manager Dave Roberts said before Los Angeles defeated the host Cincinnati Reds 4-0. "I don't know what's in store for him tomorrow, but I know that there's going to be a consistent build-up. Don't know when the time of return to play is, but today was positive, and hopefully we can just keep building towards that."

Roberts said he expected Ohtani to return and play in some regular-season games before shifting to the playoffs.

"Whether it happens or not is to be determined, but I do expect him to be back to play in some regular-season games," Roberts said. "I don't know how many."

Ohtani, 32, was placed on the injured list to rest his left knee and right biceps. Soreness in those areas, along with a neck issue, caused him to miss four straight games earlier this month, but the Dodgers initially hoped to avoid an IL stint.

Because Ohtani is a two-way player, he must be on the IL for a minimum of 15 days. Sept. 23 is the soonest he can be activated. The Dodgers will have five games to go in the regular season at that point -- two against the San Diego Padres at home and a three-game road series at the San Francisco Giants.

Overall this year, the six-time All-Star is hitting .277 with a .380 on-base percentage, a .522 slugging percentage, 30 homers and 80 RBIs in 130 games.