PHILADELPHIA. Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani took an encouraging step in his recovery process by completing his first bullpen session in two weeks this Wednesday, as part of the treatment for the persistent discomfort he is experiencing in his left knee.
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The Japanese player made nearly 30 pitches, using his entire repertoire, in a practice session that was well-regarded by the coaching staff of the Los Angeles team.
Pitching coach Mark Prior stated that Ohtani “looked good” during the session and explained that the team will evaluate how he responds physically in the coming hours before defining the next steps of his recovery program.
For his part, manager Dave Roberts reiterated that the organization will not rush the return of the star two-way player and that it will be Ohtani himself who sets the pace of his recovery.
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The knee discomfort arose on June 11 and has mainly affected his performance as a pitcher, although he has been able to remain in the lineup as a hitter. The Dodgers hoped that a lubricating injection and the rest during the All-Star break would allow for his immediate return to the rotation, but the pain persisted during flat-ground throwing sessions.
Despite this, the progress shown in the bullpen represents a positive sign for the club, although there is still no defined date for his return to the mound.
Before being temporarily removed from the rotation, Ohtani was posting an outstanding performance as a starter with an 8-2 record and a 1.79 ERA, establishing himself among the best pitchers in Major League Baseball in the 2026 season.
