Dodgers update Shohei Ohtani's timeline for next pitching return milestone

DENVER — Shohei Ohtani could take the next step toward returning to the mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers this weekend. But there are questions about exactly when that might be and what that next step might look like.

On Wednesday before the Dodgers finished up a series at Coors Field against the Colorado Rockies, Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts said the schedule for the Dodgers this weekend will determine exactly when Ohtani tests his pitching arm again.

"It's either going to be another bullpen session or a live (session against batters). It would be a one-inning live," Roberts said, explaining the final decision on what kind of session Ohtani will throw still hasn't been determined. "Then you're looking at the calendar. Friday's a night game at home (7:10 p.m. local time first pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates). Saturday's a kind of tweener (4:15 p.m. local time first pitch against the Pirates). Sunday's a day game, so nothing's going to happen on Sunday. Then there's an off day Monday, so that's what essentially they're trying to figure out. Friday, Saturday, what does that look like?"

Shohei Ohtani throwing a bullpen versus against live batters

On Tuesday after Ohtani threw a bullpen session in Denver, Roberts said it was possible that he "could see" the next step for Ohtani coming against live batters. However, that still wasn't a sure thing 24 hours later as the Dodgers prepared to finish up a stretch of 13 consecutive games with Wednesday's series finale.

Ohtani's bullpen sessions, according to Roberts, have been around 35 pitches and have included all of Ohtani's available pitches, meaning he hasn't faced any limits except with pitch count.

If Ohtani throws to live batters for an inning, it could be a shorter session but have more intensity with someone in the batter's box.

Ohtani last pitched on July 3, then was sidelined with right biceps discomfort and left knee inflammation. Even after this weekend's potential developments, he would still need time to ramp up before being ready to pitch in an actual game.

However, if Ohtani stays on this trajectory without any setbacks, it's certainly possible he could return to the rotation in time for the regular season's stretch run and postseason.

All quotations obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.