PHOENIX -- Shohei Ohtani took a new step in his bullpen progression, doing an up-down in his session on the mound ahead of Saturday's game against the D-backs at Chase Field.
Other than simulating a break between innings for the first time, Ohtani's workload was in line with what he has been doing in the bullpen since returning from paternity leave three weeks ago. Per manager Dave Roberts, he threw around 35 pitches, all four-seamers, two-seamers and splitters.
The team did not share next steps for Ohtani, such as when he will throw his entire pitch mix or face live hitters. But getting in an up-down was another important step forward in his progression.
"It's significant because it sort of simulates an up-down inning," Roberts said. "To see how he comes out of it after taking, call it, five-to-seven minutes of rest, and to see how he responds."
The timeline for Ohtani to return to the mound remains indefinite. He is likely at least a couple months away from starting a Major League game for the first time since 2023, when he underwent a right UCL repair, his second major surgery on his pitching elbow. Ohtani did not have a full offseason to build up on the mound because he had left shoulder labrum surgery last November.
The Dodgers expect to have a better idea of when Ohtani could return as a pitcher once he begins facing hitters, which won't happen until he incorporates his offspeed pitches into his bullpen sessions. Ohtani will build up through simulated games because the team feels that it's the best way to ensure he's in the lineup as the designated hitter every night.
With Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow sidelined with shoulder injuries, the Dodgers' rotation has not been at full strength. Clayton Kershaw is set for what is expected to be his final rehab start with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday, after which he should rejoin Los Angeles.
But as much as the Dodgers could potentially use Ohtani's arm, they're making every effort to bring their two-way superstar back the right way so that he's at his best when the games matter most.
"I'm trying to temper it, because I know that we're being very methodical with this, clearly," Roberts said. "But yeah, when you see the arm and see what he can do … I put my head in the place of how he can help us right now. But [I'm] trying to be patient."