Overview

• Shohei Ohtani will pitch to live major-league hitters this weekend for the first time since undergoing his second Tommy John surgery in September 2023.
• His fastball velocity has reached 94–95 mph during bullpen sessions, with breaking pitches being gradually reintroduced into his repertoire.
• The Dodgers have opted against a pitching rehab assignment to preserve Ohtani’s availability as a designated hitter, where he has excelled with a .304/.398/.655 slash line, 17 home runs, and 31 RBIs in 48 games this season.
• Manager Dave Roberts has indicated that Ohtani’s pitching return is expected sometime after the All-Star break, with the goal of having him at full strength for the postseason.
• This weekend’s live batting practice marks a significant milestone in Ohtani’s recovery, as the Dodgers carefully manage his dual-role workload to maximize his impact on both offense and pitching.