Shohei Ohtani took a significant step Saturday toward his return to two-way duties.
The Dodgers star, who hasn’t pitched in a game since July 3, pitched a live batting practice session, throwing 30 pitches to also-rehabbing catcher Will Smith. Ohtani had been throwing bullpen sessions up to this point.
“I didn’t have a check-in with Shohei, but everything from the coaches [is] really positive.” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said before the second of three games against the Pittsburgh Pirates. “We’re getting there. So, today was a good day.”
Ohtani looked close to his normal self, even exchanging a few “gotcha” laughs with Smith, like when he induced an infield pop-up.
Ohtani likely will throw another live batting practice session before potentially returning to the rotation.
“I think if it were up to Shohei, he’d be in a game in a few days,” Roberts said. “But I would assume another live BP, but we’re gonna make sure we talk to him and get with the training staff as well.”
Roberts added that Ohtani’s knee issues, which were the primary reason for Ohtani’s break from pitching, are “behind us.” Roberts noted that Ohtani is rested and has adjusted his pitching mechanics.
“That’s more of the pitching department, but I do know that the land — and the land being closed versus opening up a little bit more — took a little bit of pressure off [Ohtani’s knee],” Roberts said. “That’s why this [is] live and the lives are good,” Roberts added, “because you’re actually facing hitters and you can kind of see if the mechanics — how they play.”
Andy Pages might have surgery
Dodgers center fielder Andy Pages is leaning toward surgery to repair the fractured left hand he sustained after being hit by a 100-mph sinker from Pittsburgh pitcher Bubba Chandler on Friday.
Pages is expected to miss roughly four weeks regardless of whether or not he has surgery.
“I think they’re probably leaning towards some type of surgery,” Roberts said. “I don’t think it changes the timeline. I think it’s certainly gonna be four weeks as the floor for [Pages] to be back with us, but, like I told him in the X-ray room, the season is not over for him, and we expect him back [at] full health.”
Tyler Glasnow, who hasn’t pitched since May 6, is penciled in to start Tuesday against the Atlanta Braves, without any limitations, Roberts said.
Justin Wrobleski, dealing with forearm inflammation, will be in the bullpen when he returns from the 15-day injured list.
“I see him slotting into relief and being a two-or-three-inning guy,” Roberts said.
Edwin Díaz will be used in less-stressful situations upon his return from neck inflammation before potentially resuming closing responsibilities.
“It’s more of getting him back healthy, and then putting him in some softer landing situations to get the confidence, to get the feel, and the trust of executing pitches [and] getting major league hitters out,” Roberts said.
And Smith continues to be on an upward trajectory after stacking reps with Ohtani.
“Getting Will in the batter’s box to take at-bats … it’s just good to see the [competition] from both those guys,” Roberts said.
The post Shohei Ohtani takes ‘really positive’ step in push to return to Dodgers’ rotation appeared first on Los Angeles Times.
