TULSA, OK: Josue de Paula of the Tulsa Drillers during a game against the Arkansas Travelers at ONEOK Field on April 19, 2026. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images)
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One power bat down, one power bat up. Only the Los Angeles Dodgers can replace a talent like Shohei Ohtani with a prospect like Josue De Paula.
The 21-year-old De Paula can’t pitch like Ohtani, but has put up offensive numbers at Double-A Tulsa this season that at least approach those usually produced by the four-time MVP winner.
Manager Dave Roberts told reporters Wednesday night that Ohtani will benefit from having a forced rest as the Dodgers prepare for postseason play.
“If it were a postseason game tomorrow, he would be in the lineup,” Roberts said. “Now you’re talking about two weeks, 14 days. I feel that it’s that substantial. He’ll be in a much better place than he was today. Is it going to be 100 percent? Probably not. But I do think, with this time that we’re taking now, he’ll be in an adequate spot to finish the season and beyond.”
The 32-year-old missed only six of the Dodgers’ first 139 games despite dealing with a sore left knee and right biceps for weeks. He has missed six of the last seven games and Roberts said the slugger developed a new ache in the game he did play.
LOS ANGELES: Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani heads to first base wincing in pain after being hit by a pitch during a game against the New York Mets at Dodger Stadium on April 13, 2026. He did not miss any time due to this pain, but is now sidelined with various ailments. (Photo by Ronaldo Bolaños/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
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“There was a swing Monday that he didn’t feel great on, hasn’t totally recovered from Monday,” Roberts said.
The Dodgers are expected to make the moves official Friday, meaning Ohtani’s earliest return date would be Sept. 21 with six games left in the regular season.
Los Angeles is seeking a third straight World Series championship. The Dodgers have a comfortable 11-game lead in the NL West, though they are 1 1/2 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers for the best overall record. That mark guarantees home-field advantage throughout post-season play.
Ohtani is having a good offensive season, but nothing like his first two years with the Dodgers after signing an historic 10-year, $700 million contract with them as a free agent in December 2023. His Dodgers production:
- 2024: 54 homers, 134 runs, 130 RBI, 59 stolen bases, .310 batting average.
- 2025: 55 HR, 136 runs, 102 RBI, 20 SB, .282.
- 2026 30 HR, 89 runs, 80 RBI, 11 SB, .277.
TOKYO: Shohei Ohtani of Team Japan hits a grand slam in the second inning during the 2026 World Baseball Classic Pool C game against Chinese Taipei at Tokyo Dome on March 6, 2026. (Photo by Toru Hanai/Getty Images)
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Ohtani won two AL MVP Awards with the Los Angeles Angels (2021 and 2023) when he had a 38-19 pitching record and 171 homers over six seasons.
He did not pitch at all for the Dodgers in 2024 after having a second operation on his right elbow. He also did not pitch for the Angels in 2019 after having Tommy John surgery in 2018.
Ohtani returned to the mound late last season and got off to a great start this year. He had an 8-2 record and 1.79 ERA on July 3, but has not pitched since. He is not expected to return to the mound in 2026, but the Dodgers want him healthy enough to hit.
Bring On Deh-POW-lah
His first name is pronounced ho-SWAY and the proper way to say his last name emphasizes the power he shows with most every swing.
Josue De Paula’s power potential earned him a $397,500 signing bonus from the Dodgers in January 2022. His production at every level since then has earned him the call to Los Angeles.
The 6-foot-3, 185-pound left-hander’s swing has been compared to MLB sluggers Juan Soto and Yordan Alvarez. He has hit like them this year in 124 minor-league games:
- 30 homers, 106 runs, 104 RBI, 30 stolen bases, .303 batting average.
ATLANTA: Josue De Paula #46 of the Los Angeles Dodgers watches his home run at the MLB Future’s Game at Truist Park on July 12, 2025. (Photo by Matt Dirksen/Chicago Cubs/Getty Images)
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De Paula played in the Futures Game in both 2025 and 2026. He was the MVP in 2025.
He has shown good awareness at the plate, drawing 81 walks to 87 strikeouts this year, a rare ratio for such a young power hitter. In 462 pro games, he has 325 walks, 365 strikeouts. These days, that’s a phenomenal ratio for any player at any level.
De Paula’s stolen-base totals also show a keen instinct for the game. He’s not exceedingly fast, but has been successful on 120 of 150 attempts as a pro.
PHILADELPHIA: Josue De Paula of the Los Angeles Dodgers is off and running to steal second base in the MLB All-Star Futures Game at Citizens Bank Park on July 12, 2026. (Photo by Matt Dirksen/Chicago Cubs/Getty Images)
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Defensively, he has played all three outfield spots reasonably well, spending the most time in right field.
Veteran shortstop Mookie Betts was asked by heavy.com about De Paula and said: “I haven’t really seen him play outside of spring training, so I can’t really say a whole lot about it. But I know he’s a good kid.
“We’ll see how it goes. I’m excited. If that’s the case. I’m excited to see him. I got to spend a little time with him in spring training, just going to eat, take him out to eat when I was in the outfield. I know he’s a good kid, so we’ll see. Evidently he’s a good player. Obviously if he’s coming up here. So we’ll see.”
Roberts is more definitive.
“Our player development group is very confident in his ability to conduct an at-bat,” he told reporters. “You could argue that the talent in Double-A is similar to Triple-A, as far as pure arms and arm talent.
“I think that we’ve seen him in camp for two or three years. He doesn’t run from velocity. He controls the strike zone. And I think this is just a good opportunity for him to kind of cut his teeth in the big leagues.”
The Dodgers’ 2026 Future
A third straight World Series Championship is expected by many, particularly fans in Los Angeles.
Anything less than a third straight World Championship will be a disappointment, particularly in the Dodgers’ clubhouse.
CHICAGO: Tarik Skubal makes his Los Angeles Dodgers debut against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on Aug. 4, 2026. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
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It may not be that easy, particularly in the NL, where Milwaukee, Atlanta, Philadelphia and Chicago also have veteran squads loaded with talent.
The team has all the parts and is playoff tested. They added pitching ace Tarik Skubal at the trade deadline. Even better, they should have Ohtani rested. With a decent showing this month, De Paula may earn a playoff roster spot, adding to the Dodgers’ offensive depth.
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