Shohei Ohtani makes progress in throwing program, Dodgers look ahead to live batting practice

Denver was a checkpoint for the Dodgers’ pitching rehab plan Tuesday, with Shohei Ohtani moving forward after a bullpen session that drew a thumbs-up from management.

According to MLB, Ohtani threw 35 pitches in his bullpen and the outcome pleased Dodgers manager Dave Roberts enough that Roberts checked in immediately afterward. Ohtani’s quick response, as described in the team report, was a positive sign for how the session went and how his arm reacted.

The most meaningful part of the day was what comes next. The Dodgers report indicated that Ohtani could begin throwing live batting practice soon, which is typically the next meaningful hurdle after bullpen work when a pitcher is progressing toward facing hitters at full intensity.

For a club that relies on consistent depth in late-season pitching, the timing of that transition matters. Live batting practice is not a game, but it is the first step where a pitcher must account for real swing paths and hitter adjustments, rather than solely executing on a scripted pitch sequence.

Ohtani’s dual role is already a major focus whenever the Dodgers talk about roster health, and his return to mound activity would be a significant development for their bullpen and rotation planning. Even without detailing any timeline beyond the next practice stage, a move toward live work suggests the organization sees his throwing program as on track.

Still, the Dodgers’ own framing is cautious and incremental. The report emphasizes the bullpen session itself and the possibility of live batting practice, not a guarantee of a specific return date to MLB games.

Tuesday’s progression sets the question for the next few days: whether Ohtani can carry over the feel from his bullpen into live at-bats during batting practice, and whether any adjustments are needed before the Dodgers consider further steps in his rehab plan.

With the regular season in the late stretch, Los Angeles’ next updates are likely to revolve around how his arm responds to the next level of work and whether the organization can keep the schedule moving without setbacks.