Dodgers plan Shohei Ohtani's next step for return to pitching

Shohei Ohtani is preparing to take the next step in the ongoing rehab of his right elbow.

That step will occur on Saturday, according to Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, when Ohtani will throw a bullpen session for the first time since Feb. 25.

"This is a long-term play for Shohei's well-being also," Roberts told ESPN on Monday. "So making sure that we're as cautious and careful as we possibly can. And yeah, for 2025, the most important piece of this is having him be able to do both through the end of the season, through October."

Ohtani last pitched in a major-league game on Aug. 23, 2023 and had his second major right elbow surgery in September 2023.

Roberts has hinted that Ohtani could possibly resume game action on the mound as soon as May, but the Dodgers manager acknowledged to ESPN that the current state of his rehab could be seen as starting all over on the pitching side.

"Given what he's gone through, keeping his arm going, I think that's kind of fair," Roberts said. "But I don't know what that looks like as far as leadership. I'm not going to prognosticate, but I think it's a fair take."

Roberts said he'd love it if the Dodgers would be able to use Ohtani for 18 to 20 starts this season.

"We would bank that right now," Roberts said.

-Field Level Media