Shohei Ohtani Throws Bullpen Session, Could Face Live Hitters Soon

Shohei Ohtani threw a bullpen session as part of his pitching rehab, and per MLB.com's Patrick Saunders, facing live hitters could be the next step.

The session marks a meaningful progression from where things stood earlier this week, when a knee injury was keeping Ohtani off the mound entirely and his return timeline was uncertain. A bullpen without incident is the kind of checkpoint that opens the door to the next phase — but how quickly that door swings remains an open question.

What we don't know yet

No timetable has been attached to a live-hitter appearance, and nothing in the reporting points to a specific return date. The confidence level on this update is moderate, which is worth keeping in mind as the rehab picture continues to develop.

The broader Dodgers context

Los Angeles could use the good news. Edwin Díaz is on the 15-day IL with neck inflammation — returning to LA for further evaluation after struggling since his July reinstatement — and catcher Will Smith is also working back from his own IL stint. A rotation that could eventually include a healthy Ohtani on the mound is a different conversation than the one the Dodgers are having right now.

For now, the bullpen session is progress. What comes next is worth watching.