Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani threw a bullpen session on Friday, his first in nearly a month, and manager Dave Roberts said Saturday that another bullpen session and a live batting practice would follow before Ohtani pitches in a major league game.
Ohtani throws first bullpen in nearly a month, Roberts outlines return path
Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani threw a bullpen session on Friday, his first in nearly a month, and manager Dave Roberts said Saturday that another bullpen session and a live batting practice would follow before Ohtani pitches in a major league game.
Ohtani, 32, had been posting a 1.79 ERA with 95 strikeouts across 85.2 innings this season before a knee and biceps injury halted his pitching duties. His last start for the Dodgers came on July 3.
Roberts said of the next step: 'Then I would see him in a major league game,' indicating no setbacks have emerged through the current progression.
Ohtani has continued as the team's designated hitter during the injury, batting .290 with 27 home runs, 74 RBIs, and a .930 OPS. His offensive numbers are described in the source as not as strong as his first two seasons with the Dodgers, though the source says his two-way performance has placed him in contention for the MVP award.
The Dodgers bullpen has also been affected by Ohtani's absence from the rotation, according to the source, with the relief unit reduced from eight to seven pitchers — a factor the source cites in recent poor performance from Dodgers relievers.
Roberts also said Saturday that right-hander Tyler Glasnow needs one more rehab start before rejoining the rotation, following what the source describes as a dominant appearance in his most recent Triple-A start.
- The source does not state the specific date or timeline for Ohtani's anticipated return to the rotation.
- The source does not state the specific nature or severity of the knee and biceps injury beyond naming the affected areas.
- The source does not state when Tyler Glasnow is expected to make his additional rehab start or what his injury was.
- The source does not state what Ohtani's offensive statistics were in his first two seasons with the Dodgers for direct comparison.
- The source does not state how the MVP race standings currently look or who else is in contention.
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