Latest Shohei Ohtani Pitching Update amid Recovery from Knee Injury

Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani continued his recovery from knee issues as he looks to return to the team's rotation.

Ohtani threw a bullpen session consisting of 31 pitches on Wednesday despite getting scratched from his scheduled start, per Jack Harris of the California Post.

Manager Dave Roberts said, per Harris, that it was a "big sign" that Ohtani was able to do a bullpen session. Pitching coach Mark Prior, meanwhile, said it "went great."

According to Harris, the bullpen session was pre-planned and the Dodgers will now figure out what comes next.

"Once he started playing catch, [the plan] was to see how he felt over the three or four day," Prior said, via Harris. "If everything felt good, he was going to throw a bullpen today."

Roberts noted Ohtani would not return to the rotation during the team's current road trip, but the exact timeline hasn't been determined. Roberts also discussed the break's impact on Ohtani's stamina when he does return to the mound.

"I still think it hasn't been so long that the equity that he's built up with the pitch count is that compromised," Roberts said, via Harris. "But with that, I can't foresee him running out there and throwing 100 pitches his first outing."

The four-time MVP hasn't pitched since July 3 due to irritation in his left knee, but has remained part of the Dodgers' lineup in the meantime.

Ohtani's knee troubles forced him to miss the 2026 All-Star Game. He also had a lubricant injected into his left knee to prepare for the second half of the year.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed that Ohtani would miss time before making his return to the mound.

"Where we're at right now, how we're proceeding, I would say that it's going to be some time," Roberts said Sunday, per MLB.com's Sonja Chen. "I'd say that it's not going to be a day-to-day thing."

Considering Los Angeles sits at 64-38 and holds an 11.5-game lead for the No. 1 spot in the National League West standings, the team can afford to be patient with Ohtani's health to ensure that he's ready for the postseason.

"Honestly, a lot of it is where we're at and how we've put ourselves in a good spot," Roberts said, via Chen. "Could he probably do it? Sure. But right now, the benefits just [don't] seem to outweigh the cost at this time of the season. So I think we still have plenty of time to get him to a good spot to then pitch."

Ohtani was off to a strong start as a pitcher this season, owning an 8-2 record in 14 starts to go along with a 1.79 ERA. He also averaged 10.0 strikeouts per nine innings.

While Ohtani's timeline to return to pitching in games is unclear, he's still been a crucial piece of the Dodgers' batting order.

He's hitting .287 with 17 doubles, 22 home runs and 60 RBI this year. Ohtani has posted a .925 OPS as well.