The Dodgers had been pondering the move for more than a week, but now they have finally done it: Shohei Ohtani is going on the injured list with lingering injuries to his left knee and right biceps.
Manager Dave Roberts made the announcement after Wednesday's 14-1 win over the Reds.
As a corresponding move, the Dodgers are calling up their No. 1 prospect per MLB Pipeline and the No. 6 prospect in baseball overall, outfielder Josue De Paula.
De Paula is expected to join the Dodgers on Friday when they open a weekend series against the Marlins in Miami.
De Paula, 21, has proven to be one of the most advanced young hitters in the Minors after the Dodgers signed him out of the Dominican Republic in 2022. In fact, MLB Pipeline considers him the organization’s most advanced hitting prospect since Corey Seager.
The 6-foot-3, 185-pound De Paula has even been likened to a smaller and more athletic version of American League MVP candidate Yordan Alvarez, thanks to his tremendous raw power paired with a keen eye that results in excellent pitch selection and plate discipline.
In 588 plate appearances for Double-A Tulsa in the Texas League this year, De Paula has produced a .303/.401/.547 slash line with 27 home runs -- including a solo shot in the first inning of the Drillers’ 10-1 win at Northwest Arkansas on Wednesday -- 104 RBIs and 31 steals.
De Paula is not currently on the Dodgers' 40-man roster, so another move would need to be made to accommodate him.