Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani takes major step towards pitching return before Diamondbacks clash

With the Los Angeles Dodgers on a seven-game losing streak ahead of Saturday’s outing against the Arizona Diamondbacks, the team is looking for any form of momentum possible to find its footing again. Though Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani has been dealing with a nagging knee injury, he would take a step in the right direction regarding his return to the mound.

While Ohtani has been healthy enough to hit the ball and is doing it well, as he’s recorded a .296 batting average to go along with 26 home runs and 70 RBIs, he hasn’t pitched for Los Angeles since July 3 in his six-inning win over the San Diego Padres.

According to videos from Bob Nightengale and Fabian Ardaya, Ohtani is continuing his recovery to get back on the mound, as his last bullpen session was two weeks ago.

“Ohtani in action for the first time in 2 weeks since his bullpen session in Philadelphia,” Nightengale wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

“Shohei Ohtani has officially restarted his catch progression,” Ardaya wrote on X.

Ohtani in action for the first time in 2 weeks since his bullpen session in Philadelphia pic.twitter.com/lrq8RE2RKE

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) August 8, 2026

Shohei Ohtani has officially restarted his catch progression. pic.twitter.com/bzJ8QxWlY1

— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) August 8, 2026

Whether Ohtani will come back to the mound for the Dodgers and pitch again, president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said he expects the sensation to.

“Andrew Friedman expects Shohei Ohtani will pitch again this season. The concern is Ohtani overcompensating while the knee heals, which is why he won’t be rushed back. He downplayed Ohtani’s bicep soreness as well,” Woo wrote on X on July 29.

“If it weren’t for the knee, he would be pitching right now,” Friedman said, via Woo.

At any rate, it remains to be seen when Ohtani comes back to his dual-threat role and pitches again.

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