Shohei Ohtani Edges Closer to Pitching Return as Dodgers Eye the Bullpen

Shohei Ohtani is inching his way back to the mound, showing signs of progress in his recovery from elbow surgery. The Los Angeles Dodgers superstar played catch on Tuesday, continuing his throwing program as he gears up for a much-anticipated return to pitching duties.

Fresh from a personal milestone—welcoming his first child with wife Mamiko Tanaka in Southern California—Ohtani jumped straight back into action. He went 0-for-3 with a walk in the Dodgers’ 1-0 victory over Texas, barely giving himself a breather. The man really doesn’t do anything halfway—on or off the field.

Following a day off, the reigning NL MVP was spotted tossing in the outfield at Wrigley Field ahead of the Dodgers’ series opener against the Chicago Cubs. Manager Dave Roberts revealed that Ohtani is slated for a light bullpen session on Wednesday, with a "full-blown bullpen" penciled in for Saturday. The anticipation among Dodgers fans is, understandably, sky-high.

Roberts played it cautious, noting, "I still don't know what the next step is, and I think once he starts facing hitters, then it'll start to become more pronounced. But right now he's still in the mode of just throwing bullpens, and he still hasn't thrown sliders yet either." In other words, Ohtani’s not quite ready to unleash his full arsenal—but the countdown is definitely on.

Ohtani hasn’t pitched in a major league game since August 23, 2023, back when he was still with the Los Angeles Angels. He underwent right elbow surgery last September and paused pitching in late February to focus on hitting for the season opener. Despite the layoff from the mound, Ohtani has been holding his own at the plate, batting .277 with six homers and eight RBIs as the Dodgers head into Chicago.

The Dodgers’ injury update carousel didn’t stop with Ohtani. Lefty Blake Snell also played catch Tuesday as he works his way back from shoulder inflammation. According to Roberts, Snell’s progress is promising, though he remains on the 15-day injured list.

Meanwhile, right-hander Tyler Glasnow appears on track to start Sunday at home against Pittsburgh. Glasnow exited last Sunday’s game against Texas due to leg cramps, but Roberts said, "As we traveled here to Chicago he was fine."

As the Dodgers juggle injuries and comebacks, all eyes remain fixed on Ohtani’s next bullpen session—because when you sign a $700 million contract, every pitch is basically prime-time television.