Shohei Ohtani faces hitters as road to Dodgers' rotation shortens

Shohei Ohtani's return to game action as a pitcher took another step forward Sunday when he faced live hitters for the first time since his 2023 Tommy John revision surgery on his right elbow.

Ohtani's pitching session, before Sunday's road game against the New York Mets, came against rookies Hyeseong Kim and Dalton Rushing, as well as team planning coach J.T. Watkins, who stood in as the third hitter.

According to reports out of New York, Ohtani had a pair of strikeouts and a walk. Kim doubled and grounded back to the mound.

Ohtani has not pitched in a major league game since Aug. 23, 2023, for the Los Angeles Angels when he lasted just 1 1/3 innings against the Cincinnati Reds. He also missed the 2019 season as a pitcher for the Angels after he underwent his original Tommy John surgery.

In 86 career major league starts, Ohtani is 38-19 with a 3.01 ERA. His hitting and pitching exploits helped him to earn American League MVP Awards with the Angels in 2021 and 2023. He won the National League MVP for the Dodgers last season as a designated hitter only when he hit 54 home runs with 59 stolen bases.

Originally estimated to be back on the mound this month, the Dodgers slowed down Ohtani's rehab schedule, with team president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman recently saying, the goal was to have Ohtani pitching through October.

The recovery schedule could have Ohtani pitching again around the All-Star break.

--Field Level Media