Josué De Paula discovered Shohei Ohtani. https://t.co/mMs1gsX9oY Via @Alden_Gonzalez on X

What happened: Josué De Paula reached the majors this month and now shares the Dodgers' late-season timeline with Shohei Ohtani. De Paula homered for his first big-league hit on Sept. 13 and added his first stolen base two days later.

Why it matters: That overlap matters for a Dodgers club still waiting on Ohtani's return before the playoffs while sorting out its October mix. It also keeps attention on De Paula's early big-league burst as Los Angeles chases a three-peat.

By the numbers: De Paula is 21. His first MLB hit was a three-run home run, and his first stolen base came two days later after an ABS-upheld ball four. Ohtani remains sidelined, with Los Angeles expecting him back before the playoffs.

What to watch: Watch whether De Paula keeps carving out at-bats during the final stretch of the regular season. Ohtani's return timetable will shape how the Dodgers balance the roster heading into October.

Sources