Next steps for Shohei Ohtani revealed after successful bullpen session in Denver

DENVER — Shohei Ohtani took another step toward returning to the Los Angeles Dodgers rotation on Tuesday.

Pitching a bullpen session at Coors Field before the Dodgers faced the Colorado Rockies in the second game of a three-game series, Ohtani gave Dodgers manager Dave Roberts a thumbs up when Roberts asked the results of the bullpen session.

Roberts said that quick vote of confidence could lead to Ohtani throwing against live batters after the Dodgers return to Chavez Ravine to open a homestand on Friday.

What we know about Shohei Ohtani's latest bullpen session

On Tuesday, Roberts estimates that Ohtani threw right around 35 pitches, a normal number for Ohtani in recent sessions. 

"He's always right around 35, so 35 is a fair bet," Roberts said, adding Ohtani likely threw his entire pitch mix.

On Monday night after hitting a pair of homers in an 11-5 win for the Dodgers at Coors Field, Ohtani said through an interpreter that Tuesday's bullpen would be another reason to think any further injury concern would be behind him.

"That's the hope, and that's the reason why we've been pretty careful in the rehab process," Ohtani said. "The ideal outcome is to make sure that I come back as soon as possible."

Ohtani hasn't pitched since July 3, throwing 6.0 innings and allowing seven hits and three runs while striking out nine in an eventual 4-3 home win over the San Diego Padres. Since then, he has been trying to overcome right biceps discomfort and left knee inflammation.

"It's nice to feel the progress on the pitching side, and it just feels better going into the game as a hitter, less to focus, less to worry about," Ohtani said on Monday.

So far this season, Ohtani has a 1.79 ERA in 85.2 innings over 14 starts. He has struck out 95 batters while walking 26.

There is still no firm timetable for Ohtani to return to the mound in game action. However, he is still a constant in the Los Angeles lineup at designated hitter, including leading off in that role on Tuesday night against the Rockies.

All quotations obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.