Shohei Ohtani bullpen session provides important Dodgers update

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters that Ohtani threw 14 pitches (all fastballs) and logged velocities of 92 to 94 mph. Dodgers pitching coach Mark Prior described Ohtani's session as "dipping his toe back in the water," and Roberts thought the results of Ohtani's bullpen were "great."

While it may have been a short-lived bullpen session, seeing Ohtani throw was a welcome step along the journey back to throwing from an MLB mound, something Ohtani hasn't done since he was with the Los Angeles Angels on August 23, 2023.

Much, of course, has happened for Ohtani since that date, as he moved to the Dodgers with a massive 10-year deal and became one of the catalysts for the franchise to win its eighth World Series and 25th National League pennant last year.

Part of the team's success was thanks to Ohtani's historic season, as he became the first MLB player to record 50-plus home runs and 50-plus steals in a single season. Those 54 homers and 59 stolen bases helped him capture the National League Most Valuable Player award, his third MVP (with the first two coming with the Angels).

As great as Ohtani was as the team's designated hitter last season, his value could creep even higher in 2025 once he returns to the mound. After undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his left shoulder in November, Ohtani told reporters earlier in the week that he should be ready to return to his designated-hitting duties this spring and pitch in a game in May.

Ohtani and the Dodgers open the season in Tokyo on March 18 in the first of a two-game series against the Chicago Cubs.