Ohtani Unleashed: Dodgers Ace Crushes Bullpen, Return Imminent
Shohei Ohtani Takes a Big Step Toward Returning to the Mound
Published: August 15, 2026
Team: Los Angeles Dodgers
Key Player: Shohei Ohtani (Pitcher & Designated Hitter)
What Happened on Friday?
Imagine you’re recovering from a knee injury and haven’t thrown a baseball in over three weeks. That’s exactly where Shohei Ohtani was—until Friday.
Before the Dodgers’ 3-1 win over the Milwaukee Brewers, Ohtani threw his first bullpen session since early July. A bullpen session is basically a practice throwing session where a pitcher works on their pitches off to the side of the field (in the "bullpen"), not in a real game.
Manager Dave Roberts said the news was "positive." Here’s what stood out:
- Ohtani threw 35 pitches
- He used his entire mix of pitches (fastball, slider, splitter, etc.)
- No pain or setbacks reported
Why Hasn’t Ohtani Been Pitching?
Ohtani, 32 years old, hasn’t pitched in a real game since July 3. He’s been dealing with a left knee injury.
Fun Fact: Ohtani is a rare "two-way player"—he’s an elite hitter AND an elite pitcher. Most players only do one!
While he’s been hurt on the mound, he’s still been crushing it at the plate as the team’s Designated Hitter (DH)—meaning he only bats, doesn’t play defense.
The Roadmap: How Ohtani Gets Back to Pitching in Games
The Dodgers have a careful, step-by-step plan. Think of it like leveling up in a video game—you can’t skip levels!
| Step | What Happens | Goal |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1–2 more bullpen sessions | Build arm strength & confidence |
| 2 | At least 2 "live" sessions | Face real batters in a practice setting |
| 3 | Return to MLB games | Start with one-inning appearances |
| 4 | Possible "opener" role | Pitch the first inning only, then a reliever takes over |
Roberts’ Quote: "I’m pretty confident that if we stay the course, he’ll throw a [bullpen] in two, three, four, five days, and then if we get out of that, I think we’ll be out of the woods."
Important Takeaways
- Ohtani’s first bullpen in 3+ weeks went well — 35 pitches, full arsenal used.
- No setbacks means he’s on track for a regular-season return to pitching.
- He’ll start small: one inning at a time, possibly as an opener.
- Meanwhile, he’s still raking at the plate (see stats below!).
- Catcher Will Smith is also healing from a neck injury — targeting September return.
Ohtani’s 2026 Season Stats (So Far)
As a Hitter (DH)
| Stat | Number |
|---|---|
| Batting Average | .290 |
| On-Base % | .390 |
| Slugging % | .540 |
| Home Runs | 27 |
| RBIs | 74 |
Friday night: 0-for-3 with a walk. Even superstars have quiet nights!
As a Pitcher (Before Injury)
| Stat | Number |
|---|---|
| Record | 8–2 |
| ERA (Earned Run Average) | 1.79 ← Elite! |
| Strikeouts | 95 |
| Innings Pitched | 85⅔ |
ELI5: ERA = How many runs a pitcher gives up per 9 innings. Lower is better. Under 2.00 is Cy Young Award territory!
Bonus Update: Catcher Will Smith Is Getting Healthy Too
Dodgers catcher Will Smith (not the actor!) has been out since June 5 with a neck injury.
Good news from Friday:
- Pain-free for 10 days
- Took batting practice
- Caught a bullpen session (including Ohtani’s!)
Timeline: Roberts didn’t expect him back before September, and that’s still the target.
What This Means for the Dodgers
The Dodgers are winning (beat the Brewers 3-1 Friday) and getting healthier at the perfect time—late August, playoff push mode.
- Ohtani back on the mound = a huge boost for the rotation
- Will Smith back behind the plate = better defense & game-calling
- Ohtani’s bat never left = lineup stays dangerous
This team is built for October.
Summary
- Shohei Ohtani threw a successful 35-pitch bullpen Friday — his first since July 3.
- He’s recovering from a left knee injury but remains on track to pitch again this regular season.
- Next steps: 1–2 more bullpens → 2+ live sessions → short game outings (1 inning, maybe as an opener).
- At the plate: Still elite (.290/.390/.540, 27 HR, 74 RBI).
- On the mound (pre-injury): 8–2, 1.79 ERA, 95 Ks in 85⅔ IP.
- Catcher Will Smith also progressing — targeting September return.
- Dodgers won 3-1 over Brewers — momentum + health = scary good.
FAQ
What is a "bullpen session"?
A practice throwing session where a pitcher works on their pitches off the field (in the bullpen), usually without batters. It’s how pitchers build arm strength and test mechanics between games.
What does "opener" mean in baseball?
An opener is a pitcher who starts the game but only pitches one inning (sometimes two). Then the "real" starter comes in. It’s a strategy to match up against the top of the opponent’s lineup.
Why is Ohtani’s ERA of 1.79 so special?
ERA (Earned Run Average) measures how many runs a pitcher allows per 9 innings. Under 2.00 is historic territory — only a handful of pitchers ever finish a season that low. It means Ohtani was dominant before getting hurt.
What’s a "Designated Hitter (DH)"?
In the American League (and now universal in MLB), the DH bats in place of the pitcher but doesn’t play defense. Ohtani has been doing this while his knee heals — so his bat stays in the lineup.
When might Will Smith return?
Roberts said September is the realistic target. He’s been pain-free for 10 days and caught a bullpen Friday — big steps forward!
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.