Dodgers to Call Up Top Prospect De Paula as Ohtani Goes on IL

The Los Angeles Dodgers are preparing to call up top prospect Josue De Paula after star two-way player Shohei Ohtani was placed on the injured list, according to sources familiar with the team's plans.

Ohtani, widely regarded as one of the sport's most valuable players, is currently unavailable due to an issue that has led the team to seek reinforcements.

In response, the Dodgers are turning to De Paula, one of the organization's most highly regarded young talents, to help fill the gap left by Ohtani's absence.

De Paula has been developing in the Dodgers' minor league system, where prospects typically refine their skills before advancing to the top level of professional baseball.

His anticipated promotion, known in baseball as a call-up, would mark a significant milestone in his young career.

Sources indicate that the decision to promote De Paula has already been finalized, though the Dodgers have not made an official public statement detailing the specifics of Ohtani's condition.

The move underscores how central Ohtani has become to the Dodgers' roster, given the urgency with which the team is seeking to address his absence.

It remains unclear how long Ohtani will remain sidelined, as the club has not disclosed the nature or expected duration of his injury.

For De Paula, the call-up represents an opportunity to make his Major League debut, a moment often seen as a defining step for rising prospects.

The Dodgers' front office is expected to provide further updates on both Ohtani's recovery timeline and De Paula's role once he joins the active roster.

Until then, attention within the organization and among fans will likely remain focused on how the team manages the transition in Ohtani's absence.