Shohei Ohtani Progresses Toward Return to Pitching for Dodgers

Shohei Ohtani conducted a brief bullpen session on Friday, indicating his progress towards returning to the mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The session involved approximately 20 pitches, according to Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, who noted that he had not observed the session directly. Roberts mentioned the need to consult with Ohtani and the pitching coach before making decisions regarding his next steps.

Ohtani has been sidelined from pitching since July 3 due to a left knee injury. This season, he has achieved an 8-2 record with a 1.79 ERA and 95 strikeouts over 85.2 innings. While unable to pitch, he has remained active as a designated hitter, boasting a batting average of .285 with 30 home runs and 80 RBIs.