Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani marked significant progress in his recovery from injury Friday by completing a bullpen session at Dodger Stadium. The dual-threat athlete threw 34 pitches during the workout, representing his most substantial pitching activity since experiencing a setback in late July related to left knee discomfort.
Ohtani has been sidelined from game action since early July as he manages pain in his left knee and right bicep. His rehabilitation accelerated this week after he began throwing catch exercises in Arizona and subsequently participated in daily throwing sessions before Friday’s bullpen appearance. The session included both fastball deliveries and off-speed pitches.
According to Dodgers management, the next phase of Ohtani’s recovery will likely involve several complete bullpen sessions before progressing to face live batters. Manager Dave Roberts indicated that a simulated game appearance could precede an actual return to competitive pitching. The organization is prioritizing Ohtani’s physical readiness, with general manager Brandon Gomes emphasizing the importance of monitoring his response day-to-day rather than rushing advancement.
Should Ohtani return to pitching in September, the Dodgers plan to gradually rebuild his workload similar to his comeback strategy following previous elbow surgery. Ohtani himself emphasized the necessity of proceeding cautiously, stating he wants to ensure his knee reaches a manageable comfort level before resuming full pitching duties.
Originally reported by Sports.yahoo →
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