The Los Angeles Dodgers are entering a highly anticipated weekend series with the San Diego Padres. After the Dodgers swept the Padres last weekend, the series will take place at Petco Park this go-around.
Los Angeles salvaged the four-game set with the Colorado Rockies on Thursday with a 9-5 victory and earned a split in the series. Although scheduled for a day off, Shohei Ohtani took a line drive on Wednesday, sparking concern.
Manager Dave Roberts confirmed that Ohtani will resume his regular DH role for the Padres series, though he won’t make another start until early next week.
Dodgers Activating Two Important Relievers
The real Dodgers news is the announcement of Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates being activated off the Injured List—two huge additions for the back end of the bullpen. Scott has been sidelined since late July with elbow inflammation. Scott will take the field on Friday, and the Dodgers will activate Kirby Yates on Saturday.
The Dodgers signed Tanner Scott to a long-term extension this offseason, and he has not lived up to expectations in his inaugural season with the Dodgers, as he’s sporting a 4.14 ERA with 50 strikeouts across 45.2 innings pitched. He also has seven blown saves, but if he can return to his old form, like when he was with the Miami Marlins and Padres last season.
There was speculation that the Dodgers might go after a closer in late July after Scott’s injury, but they just decided to add Brock Stewart and stay put with the rest of their bullpen arms. Los Angeles has had one of the worst bullpens in MLB this season, and that doesn’t help their chances of repeating as World Series Champions.
Ohtani took a line drive to the thigh on Wednesday in the game against the Rockies. It also happened to be his worst start as a Dodger thus far. He only lasted four innings and gave up nine hits and five earned runs. Orlando Arcia struck him with the comeback liner, but as reported, Ohtani is fine and will not miss a beat as far as being in the lineup.
Dodgers’ Season Outlook
With about 35 games remaining in the 2025 MLB season, the Dodgers are 72-55 and sit just one game ahead of the Padres in the National League West standings, proving that this weekend series will be huge. It is also the last time the two bitter rivals will face each other this season.
The Dodgers hope to keep getting healthier by the week, but the offense has been stagnant, and it seems like they are struggling with teams that they shouldn’t, which is cause for concern.
Following the series with the Padres, Los Angeles will take on the Cincinnati Reds and Arizona Diamondbacks to close out the month. The start of September is a little bit lighter on the schedule, but if the lowly Rockies could split a four-game set with LA, then every game will be challenging down the stretch.
Dodgers Give Injury Update on Shohei Ohtani, Make High-Leverage Moves