Overview
- The Dodgers said Shohei Ohtani threw 30 pitches to a hitter in live batting practice on Saturday, his first work against a batter since July and a key step in his comeback from left‑knee inflammation.
- Manager Dave Roberts told reporters the club could return Ohtani to the mound as soon as next week pending the planned bullpen session in Atlanta and the medical staff's evaluation.
- Los Angeles has already reshuffled the rotation to create roster space, moving Eric Lauer to a bullpen/piggyback role while Tyler Glasnow prepares to rejoin the starting staff.
- The team is balancing a slightly more aggressive build this time with caution because Ohtani's ramp‑up has been complicated by a biceps concern and a lubricant injection in the knee earlier in the rehab.
- If Ohtani resumes pitching in September he would restore two‑way depth for the postseason and could affect late‑season award races after posting an 8‑2 record and 1.79 ERA before the injury.