Ohtani holds first live batting practice in 50 days
Japanese Los Angeles Dodgers baseball player Shohei Ohtani took another step toward returning to the team’s pitching rotation. Before the home game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, he threw 30 pitches to a batter — for the first time in 50 days following a break due to discomfort in his left knee.
Workout before the game
Ohtani held the workout at Dodger Stadium, where his pitches were caught by Dodgers catcher Will Smith. Smith is recovering from a neck injury and is on the injured list.
Ohtani last started an MLB game as a pitcher on July 4. This season, the two-way player has an 8–2 win-loss record and a 1.79 ERA. After receiving a lubricant injection in his left knee, he held bullpen pitching sessions.
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Possible return in September
As The Korea Herald reports, citing Kyodo News and MLB.com, Ohtani may hold at least one more workout with a batter this week if no new knee issues arise. After that, he could potentially return to the mound during the Dodgers’ nine-game home series, which begins on September 2.
A return in September would give the club an opportunity to use Ohtani in the playoffs both as a pitcher and as a designated hitter. In Saturday’s game, he went hitless in three at-bats, but the Dodgers defeated the Pirates 4–3. The team secured its fifth consecutive victory and retained the lead in the National League West.
