The Los Angeles Dodgers are promoting top outfield prospect Josue De Paula from Double-Alvl Tulsa, according to reports from ESPN. The roster move comes as four-time MVP Shohei Ohtani is placed on the 15-day injured list due to lingering soreness in his left knee and a right biceps strain. Because the Dodgers are off, the transaction will not be made official until Friday’s series opener against the Miami Marlins.
Dodgers Promote Top Prospect Josue De Paula Directly From Double-A
Manager Dave Roberts announced Ohtani’s injury status following a 14-1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds. Ohtani, who has not pitched since July 3, has been limited to just nine at-bats in September and was forced out of the lineup six times in his final seven games before the IL placement. Roberts noted that while Ohtani would likely play if a postseason game were held immediately, the 14-day absence provides a necessary window for recovery. Ohtani will be eligible to return on September 23, leaving five regular-season games remaining.
Skipping Triple-A in the Andrew Friedman Era
The decision to bring up De Paula represents a rare developmental milestone for the franchise. According to The Athletic, De Paula’s jump marks the first time in 12 years under president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman that the Dodgers have called up a position player prospect directly from Double-A, bypassing Triple-A Oklahoma City entirely.
Signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2022 by the Dodgers, the 21-year-old left-handed hitter has drawn comparisons from MLB Pipeline as the organization’s most advanced hitting prospect since Corey Seager. Standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 185 pounds, De Paula has also been likened to a smaller, more athletic version of American League standout Yordan Alvarez due to his combination of raw power and plate discipline.
Historic Minor League Production and Scouting Profile
During his age-21 campaign with Double-A Tulsa, De Paula put together staggering offensive numbers across 583 to 588 plate appearances, depending on the tracking report. His minor league stats include:
- Slash Line: .303 batting average, .401 on-base percentage, and .547 slugging percentage (noted elsewhere as .302/.400/.539).
- Power Output: 27 home runs, 36 doubles, and 104 RBIs.
- Plate Discipline: Walked at a 13.7% clip while striking out in less than 15% of his plate appearances.
- Baserunning: Stolen 31 bases while getting caught 10 times, though scouting reports classify him as a below-average runner.
De Paula ranks seventh among Texas League hitters with a .939 OPS and is the second-youngest player among the league’s top 10 hitters. To help prepare him for the professional ranks, the Dodgers utilized special assistant and five-time Gold Glove winner Jason Heyward to shadow De Paula throughout his 2026 campaign, focusing on outfield defense, pre-pitch preparation, and professional routine.
Roster Logistics and Postseason Eligibility
Because De Paula is not currently on the 40-man roster, the Dodgers will need to designate a player for assignment ahead of Friday’s series opener. The timing of the call-up means De Paula will collect 17 days of service time through the end of the regular season, allowing him to maintain his rookie status and retain eligibility for the Prospect Promotion Incentive next year.
De Paula is also positioned to compete for a role on the postseason roster. While a common misconception requires players to be on the 40-man roster by September 1 to qualify for the playoffs, players only need to be within the organization by that date, with teams routinely petitioning Major League Baseball for approval.
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