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Shohei Ohtani took a significant step Saturday toward his return to two-way duties.
The Dodgers star, who hasn’t pitched in a game since July 3, pitched a live batting practice session, throwing 30 pitches to also-rehabbing catcher Will Smith. Ohtani had been throwing bullpen sessions up to this point.
“I didn’t have a check-in with Shohei, but everything from the coaches [is] really positive.” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said before the second of three games against the Pittsburgh Pirates. “We’re getting there. So, today was a good day.”
Ohtani looked close to his normal self, even exchanging a few “gotcha” laughs with Smith, like when he induced an infield pop-up.
And here’s #Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani throwing a live session. https://t.co/vjN7gKK7Il pic.twitter.com/XtqLYdqt9t
Ohtani likely will throw another live batting practice session before potentially returning to the rotation.
“I think if it were up to Shohei, he’d be in a game in a few days,” Roberts said. “But I would assume another live BP, but we’re gonna make sure we talk to him and get with the training staff as well.”
Roberts added that Ohtani’s knee issues, which were the primary reason for Ohtani’s break from pitching, are “behind us.” Roberts noted that Ohtani is rested and has adjusted his pitching mechanics.
“That’s more of the pitching department, but I do know that the land — and the land being closed versus opening up a little bit more — took a little bit of pressure off [Ohtani’s knee],” Roberts said. “That’s why this [is] live and the lives are good,” Roberts added, “because you’re actually facing hitters and you can kind of see if the mechanics — how they play.”
Dodgers center fielder Andy Pages is leaning toward surgery to repair the fractured left hand he sustained after being hit by a 100-mph sinker from Pittsburgh pitcher Bubba Chandler on Friday.
Pages is expected to miss roughly four weeks regardless of whether or not he has surgery.
“I think they’re probably leaning towards some type of surgery,” Roberts said. “I don’t think it changes the timeline. I think it’s certainly gonna be four weeks as the floor for [Pages] to be back with us, but, like I told him in the X-ray room, the season is not over for him, and we expect him back [at] full health.”
Tyler Glasnow, who hasn’t pitched since May 6, is penciled in to start Tuesday against the Atlanta Braves, without any limitations, Roberts said.
