Dodgers' Ohtani throws bullpen session in big step toward return

Shohei Ohtani threw a 35-pitch bullpen session Friday, marking his first throwing activity from the mound in more than three weeks as he works back from a left knee injury sustained July 3, according to ESPN's reporting.

Reports from Friday's session were positive, with Ohtani using his entire pitch mix during the outing. The progression follows a careful timeline: the hope is for Ohtani to throw one or two more bullpen sessions before moving to at least two live batting-practice sessions before returning to major league competition.

Manager Dave Roberts said he is "pretty confident" that if the team stays its course, Ohtani will throw another bullpen session in two to five days, and if that proceeds without issue, "we'll be out of the woods," per ESPN. Upon return, Ohtani would initially make one-inning appearances, including possible use as an opener.

Ohtani played designated hitter Friday in the Dodgers' 3-1 win over Milwaukee, going 0-for-3 with a walk. On the season, the 32-year-old is batting .290 with a .390 on-base percentage, .540 slugging percentage, 27 home runs, and 74 RBIs. On the mound before his injury, Ohtani had compiled an 8-2 record with a 1.79 ERA and 95 strikeouts across 85 and two-thirds innings.

Roberts cautioned that the progression remains contingent on "barring any setbacks," indicating that injury complications could alter the timeline. No specific date for Ohtani's return to major league pitching has been announced.