Shohei Ohtani steps up throwing progression with a bullpen session for the Dodgers

Shohei Ohtani took another step in his pitching build, throwing a bullpen session as the Dodgers prepare for the later stages of the season. The move comes after he had been playing catch regularly over the prior week, a standard progression marker as a pitcher moves from flat-ground throwing toward more live, situational work.

According to Yahoo Sports, the bullpen session represented a “big step forward” in Ohtani’s pitching progression. While bullpen work is not the same as game pitching, it is a meaningful checkpoint because it typically comes after a player has demonstrated that his arm can handle increased intensity and a larger throwing volume without interruption.

For the Dodgers, Ohtani’s pitching availability carries obvious strategic weight. He is not just an impact bat, but a two-way talent whose ability to contribute on the mound affects how a manager can shape innings late in games. When a star pitcher is progressing through throwing, the day-to-day management decisions around pitch count, rest, and workload become part of the team’s larger plan for the run toward the postseason.

This stage of a ramp-up is also where the focus shifts from “can he throw?” to “can he throw like a pitcher?” In practice, bullpen sessions usually help coaches evaluate mechanics under higher intensity, stamina across multiple throws, and readiness to execute with intent rather than only completing a throwing progression.

Even with the positive development, nothing about a bullpen session guarantees a near-term return to full game duty. Organizations generally tie next steps to responses over subsequent days, including how the arm recovers and whether he can continue advancing without setbacks. Until there is confirmation of his exact next workload or role, the most accurate takeaway is that the Dodgers have moved him one notch closer to potential pitching involvement.

What to watch next is the progression from bullpen work to whatever comes after it in the Dodgers’ plan, including whether he remains on a steady track or requires extra time at any step. For Dodgers fans, the bullpen is a sign of momentum, but the real benchmark will be sustained readiness to handle game-level pitching demands when the team needs it most.