Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani making swing progress on IL

LOS ANGELES — Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani casually strolled into the clubhouse on Friday, having received a positive report from his latest batting practice session that has progressed to taking pitches off coaches.

“He’s in a good spot,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said before Friday’s opener against the San Francisco Giants. “He hit today and came out of it well. I’m just waiting to hear when he’s going to get on the field or take live BP or Trajekt.

“He’s not there yet, but from everything I’ve heard it’s been a really productive last three to four to five days.”

Ohtani reunited with the team after their seven-game trip culminated with the Dodgers clinching the NL West title for the 13th time in 14 years with a win in Cincinnati on Thursday.

Ohtani, who went on the 15-day injured list just before the trip with right biceps and left knee issues, remained in Los Angeles to receive treatment. The four-time league MVP had been taking swings off a tee for several days before Friday.

He is eligible for activation as soon as Wednesday during the team’s final home series against the San Diego Padres, but when he rejoins the lineup will depend on his progress. Roberts is counting on Ohtani getting a few regular-season games before the postseason begins.

Before that happens, Roberts said he would like to see Ohtani take somewhere between 10 and 12 at-bats before putting him in the lineup.

“I think no matter what I say, it really doesn’t matter in the sense of it’s what he feels good with, what gets him ready,” Roberts said. “So, I could say 10, but it could be 12. But I think for me, if I’m just kind of spit balling and I think that 10 to 12 would be great.”

Relief pitcher Edwin Diaz returned to the bullpen for Friday’s series opener. Roberts has said the 32-year-old right-hander will be used in low-leverage situations after missing a month because of neck inflammation.

Diaz has struggled with injuries (elbow surgery) and underperformance in his first season with the team, going 2-2 with an 11.85 ERA in 16 games with 19 strikeouts and 10 walks over 13⅔ innings. He made five rehab appearances with Triple-A Oklahoma City during his second IL stint of the season, allowing six runs with four strikeouts in 4⅓ innings.

Roberts said he just wants to see Diaz have success on the mound during the nine remaining regular-season games.

“Just pitch,” Roberts said of his expectations for Diaz. “Regardless of the role, I think we just want to see him throw the baseball the way he’s capable of. And you’re talking about nine games, so you’re talking three or four outings to evaluate and that should be adequate.”

To create a roster spot for Diaz, right-hander Landon Knack was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City, a day after throwing four scoreless innings in a victory over the Cincinnati Reds.

Outfielder Andy Pages is set to return on Tuesday against the Padres after missing a month because of a hand fracture, but the news isn’t as hopeful for backup catcher Dalton Rushing.

Pages got hit by a pitch in a game last month against the Pittsburgh Pirates and subsequently had surgery to place a screw in his fifth metacarpal. He has been steadily increasing his baseball activity.

While Rushing is progressing from right elbow trouble, Roberts didn’t have a date for his return.

Rushing appeared in four games off the bench before going back on the 10-day injured list after missing significant time because of a slight tear in the UCL of his right elbow.

Giants (TBA) at Dodgers (LHP Tarik Skubal, 10-7, 2.70 ERA), Saturday, 6:10 p.m., SNLA, 570 AM