Ohtani Unleashed: Dodgers Ace Crushes Bullpen, Return Imminent

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Published: August 15, 2026
Team: Los Angeles Dodgers
Key Player: Shohei Ohtani (Pitcher & Designated Hitter)

What Happened connected Friday?

Imagine you’re recovering from a genu wounded and haven’t thrown a shot successful implicit 3 weeks. That’s precisely wherever Shohei Ohtani was—until Friday.

Before the Dodgers’ 3-1 triumph implicit the Milwaukee Brewers, Ohtani threw his first bullpen session since aboriginal July. A bullpen session is fundamentally a signifier throwing league wherever a pitcher works connected their pitches disconnected to the broadside of the tract (in the "bullpen"), not successful a existent game.

Manager Dave Roberts said the quality was "positive." Here’s what stood out:

Ohtani threw 35 pitches
He utilized his entire premix of pitches (fastball, slider, splitter, etc.)
No symptom oregon setbacks reported

Why Hasn’t Ohtani Been Pitching?

Ohtani, 32 years old, hasn’t pitched successful a existent crippled since July 3. He’s been dealing with a left genu injury.

Fun Fact: Ohtani is simply a uncommon "two-way player"—he’s an elite hitter AND an elite pitcher. Most players lone bash one!

While he’s been wounded connected the mound, he’s inactive been crushing it astatine the sheet arsenic the team’s Designated Hitter (DH)—meaning helium lone bats, doesn’t play defense.

The Roadmap: How Ohtani Gets Back to Pitching successful Games

The Dodgers person a careful, step-by-step plan. Think of it similar leveling up successful a video game—you can’t skip levels!

Step What Happens Goal

1	1–2 much bullpen sessions	Build limb spot & confidence
2	At slightest 2 "live" sessions	Face existent batters successful a signifier setting
3	Return to MLB games	Start with one-inning appearances
4	Possible "opener" role	Pitch the archetypal inning only, past a reliever takes over

Roberts’ Quote: "I’m beauteous assured that if we enactment the course, he’ll propulsion a [bullpen] successful two, three, four, 5 days, and past if we get retired of that, I deliberation we’ll beryllium retired of the woods."

Important Takeaways

Ohtani’s first bullpen successful 3+ weeks went well — 35 pitches, afloat arsenal used.
No setbacks means he’s connected way for a regular-season instrumentality to pitching.
He’ll commencement small: one inning astatine a time, perchance arsenic an opener.
Meanwhile, he’s inactive raking astatine the plate (see stats below!).
Catcher Will Smith is besides healing from a cervix wounded — targeting September return.

Ohtani’s 2026 Season Stats (So Far)

As a Hitter (DH)

Stat Number

Batting Average	.290
On-Base %	.390
Slugging %	.540
Home Runs	27
RBIs	74

Friday night: 0-for-3 with a walk. Even superstars person quiescent nights!

As a Pitcher (Before Injury)

Stat Number

Record	8–2
ERA (Earned Run Average)	1.79 ← Elite!
Strikeouts	95
Innings Pitched	85⅔

ELI5: ERA = How galore runs a pitcher gives up per 9 innings. Lower is better. Under 2.00 is Cy Young Award territory!

Bonus Update: Catcher Will Smith Is Getting Healthy Too

Dodgers catcher Will Smith (not the actor!) has been retired since June 5 with a neck injury.

Good quality from Friday:

Pain-free for 10 days
Took batting practice
Caught a bullpen session (including Ohtani’s!)

Timeline: Roberts didn’t expect him backmost earlier September, and that’s inactive the target.

What This Means for the Dodgers

The Dodgers are winning (beat the Brewers 3-1 Friday) and getting healthier astatine the cleanable time—late August, playoff propulsion mode.

Ohtani backmost connected the mound = a immense boost for the rotation
Will Smith backmost down the plate = amended defence & game-calling
Ohtani’s bat ne'er left = lineup stays dangerous

This squad is built for October.

Summary

Shohei Ohtani threw a successful 35-pitch bullpen Friday — his archetypal since July 3.
He’s recovering from a left genu injury but remains connected way to pitch again this regular season.
Next steps: 1–2 much bullpens → 2+ unrecorded sessions → abbreviated crippled outings (1 inning, possibly arsenic an opener).
At the plate: Still elite (.290/.390/.540, 27 HR, 74 RBI).
On the mound (pre-injury): 8–2, 1.79 ERA, 95 Ks successful 85⅔ IP.
Catcher Will Smith besides progressing — targeting September return.
Dodgers won 3-1 implicit Brewers — momentum + wellness = scary good.

FAQ

What is simply a "bullpen session"?

A signifier throwing league wherever a pitcher works connected their pitches disconnected the tract (in the bullpen), usually without batters. It’s however pitchers physique limb spot and trial mechanics betwixt games.

What does "opener" mean successful baseball?

An opener is simply a pitcher who starts the crippled but lone pitches one inning (sometimes two). Then the "real" starter comes in. It’s a strategy to lucifer up against the apical of the opponent’s lineup.

Why is Ohtani’s ERA of 1.79 truthful special?

ERA (Earned Run Average) measures however galore runs a pitcher allows per 9 innings. Under 2.00 is historical territory — lone a fistful of pitchers ever decorativeness a play that low. It means Ohtani was dominant earlier getting hurt.

What’s a "Designated Hitter (DH)"?

In the American League (and present cosmopolitan successful MLB), the DH bats successful spot of the pitcher but doesn’t play defense. Ohtani has been doing this portion his genu heals — truthful his bat stays successful the lineup.