Shohei Ohtani’s Dodgers Pitching Return Nears After Latest Step

The Los Angeles Dodgers are really starting to get healthy in a hurry, with Shohei Ohtani making serious progress towards taking the mound again.

On Friday, August 14th, for the first time in weeks, Ohtani threw a 34-pitch bullpen session, using his entire pitch mix, according to the California Post’s Jack Harris.

A big development for Shohei Ohtani: he is throwing in the bullpen. Last time he threw in the bullpen a few weeks ago, he came out of it with left knee discomfort. If this one goes well, along with a few more, Ohtani could be back on the mound soon. pic.twitter.com/TibPyCICJQ

— Nelson Espinal (@nelson__espinal) August 15, 2026

Ohtani has not thrown a bullpen since the Phillies series on the road, and that session ended with a setback that caused him to pause his progression.

There was soreness in his left knee after landing on it so many times, and the Dodgers are not going to roll him out if that is the case, out of fear of risking a more serious injury to the arm or shoulder if he changes his mechanics to compensate.

Jul 22, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (17) looks on from the dugout during the fifth inning Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

However, by all accounts, since taking a break, Ohtani has felt better in his knee, and he has worked in the background, t hrowing plyo balls and long tosses.

Now, Ohtani feels good enough to throw a bullpen session, which is the last step before returning as a pitcher in the major leagues.

Upon his return, Ohtani will start out slowly, pitching just one inning or two, just like he did when he recovered from his second Tommy John procedure last year.

Given his current timeline of rehab, it looks like Ohtani will be back on the mound around the start of September, giving him just a handful of starts to get ready.

Can Shohei Ohtani get ramped up in time for the playoffs?

Ohtani can certainly get to the point where he pitches around 80 pitches and five innings if he works his way up diligently.

Jul 19, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani (17) throws in the outfield before the second game of a double header against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

He already has a ton of innings this season, and while his break has lasted a few months, he should be in shape to go around 20-30 pitches from the start.

Given how important his bat is and the number of pitching options that the Dodgers have, Ohtani will not be pushed extremely hard in the postseason, since Roki Sasaki or Justin Wrobleski can pick up a bulk role.

Indexed and credited by AIPROPX. Originating outlet: Yahoo Sports. Open at source →