Shohei Ohtani nears pitching return with Dodgers bullpen session

Shohei Ohtani is progressing in his rehabilitation following left knee soreness that has impacted his pitching duties. The Los Angeles Dodgers have scheduled a bullpen session for Tuesday, August 18, to evaluate his progress and determine the next steps in his recovery.

Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman stated that the organization is not prioritizing Ohtani’s hitting over his pitching, noting that both aspects are equally vital to the team’s success. The team’s strategy is to react to his physical condition and communicate closely with the player to manage his workload.

Ohtani has not pitched since July 3, when inflammation in his knee began to affect his performance. While he has continued to participate as a designated hitter, his pitching rotation status was previously made indefinite. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts noted that the team has avoided placing Ohtani on the injured list due to their trust in his ability to communicate when he requires rest.