Dave Roberts said on September 6, 2026, that he expects Shohei Ohtani to be in the Los Angeles Dodgers' lineup on September 7, 2026.
Roberts explained that Ohtani had been prepared to pinch-hit for Alex Call in the seventh or eighth inning if either of the first two hitters reached base, but Call faced the instead. Roberts also stated that Ohtani had not played in four days and said Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts, Will Smith and Tommy Edman would be down on September 7, 2026.
Roberts called Bobby Miller the star of the game after Miller's first Los Angeles Dodgers outing of the 2026 season. He noted that Miller had struggled with his health after spring training but persevered and returned, then said Miller pitched three innings and allowed one run while handling a difficult first inning in the rain.
Roberts identified Edgardo as a high-leverage option, saying Edgardo has electric stuff and ranks high among the Dodgers' options to finish games. He added that the Dodgers have four or five relievers who could finish a game, while stating that Edgardo had experienced high-leverage moments in the 2025 season that became too fast for him.
Roberts said the Dodgers will use late-season games as trial runs to evaluate Edgardo for a high-leverage role in October. He also stated that the Dodgers' success in September depends partly on their depth allowing regular days off for key players and said it is important to enter October playing well.
Roberts mentioned Kyle Tucker's defensive catch for the Los Angeles Dodgers, saying it could have made the difference in the game despite Tucker's offensive frustration. Roberts also joked that he wished Ohtani had been hit by a pitch before hitting his home run. Roberts, who manages the Los Angeles Dodgers, will evaluate Edgardo in those late-season trial opportunities while maintaining the lineup plan for Ohtani on September 7, 2026.