The Los Angeles Dodgers have received a major update regarding Shohei Ohtani’s return to pitching, and it fits right into their long-term game plan. Ohtani, who had a second major elbow surgery, hasn’t thrown a pitch since August 2023.

Ohtani says he will throw his first traditional bullpen session this weekend, at which point he will begin the process of preparing to join the Dodgers’ rotation, likely in May.