Dodgers Make CONTROVERSIAL Roster Move! The Truth About Why LA Sent Down Josue De Paula!

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Dodgers optioned Josue De Paula. Josue De Paula was not optioned for performance-related issues. In 11 games, De Paula hit .323 with a .500 OBP, .581 SLG, and an elite 11 BB/5 K ratio, but lost his DH at-bats once Shohei Ohtani returned to the lineup.

Doug McKain explains the roster logic: The outfield, consisted of Teoscar Hernández, Kyle Tucker, and Andy Pagès, has been productive. De Paula is still raw defensively, so there was no clear spot to play him in the field.

A third factor was evaluating Dalton Rushing as the lefty bench bat; since Dalton Rushing can't catch, the Dodgers needed De Paula's at-bats freed up to test him — and by rule, optioning Josue De Paula on 9/23 makes him eligible to return October 3, in time for NLDS Game 1.

DMAC frames the move as "roster chess," not a demotion. Josue De Paula "finished the job interview" and made his case. Andrew Friedman and Dave Roberts both praised him as a potential postseason piece.

RARE Andrew Friedman press conference: Andrew Friedman called this the first time all year the team's top nine were healthy together and said the focus for Ohtani is maximizing at-bats and rhythm before October. Friedman also complimented Teoscar Hernández's growth as a corner outfielder and confirmed De Paula "has done everything he can to put himself in the conversation" for the postseason roster.

Dodgers vs Padres Game recap: Dodgers lost 5-1 to the Padres, snapping a 5-game win streak, despite out-hitting San Diego 10-1 (1-for-9 with RISP). Freddie Freeman's slump flagged as a real concern (1 HR, 10 2B in his last 63 games); Manny Machado had some fun trash talking toward the Dodgers dugout.

Key turning point: Bases-loaded strikeout by Ohtani in the 4th after a walk call was overturned on replay; Padres tacked on runs via Yamamoto's uncharacteristically shaky outing.

Dave Roberts postgame: Dave Roberts praised Ohtani's swing quality and plate discipline in his return, and confirmed the Padres are a likely potential playoff opponent LA is already tracking closely.

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