NEW YORK — Citi Field is set to host a significant step in Shohei Ohtani’s elbow progression.
The Los Angeles Dodgers superstar is scheduled to throw a live bullpen session before Sunday’s series finale against the Mets, marking his first time facing hitters since he underwent right elbow surgery in September of 2023.
Second baseman Hyeseong Kim and catcher Dalton Rushing are among the hitters expected to take at-bats against Ohtani, manager Dave Roberts said Saturday.
“It’s a big step getting on a mound, facing hitters,” Roberts said. “Obviously, rightfully so, there’s a lot of anticipation, but I think he’s really looking forward to it.”
The Dodgers originally planned for Ohtani to throw his live BP on Saturday, but after Friday’s series opener was delayed by rain, and then went 13 innings — making for a late night at the ballpark — the Dodgers pushed the session to Sunday.
Ohtani, 30, has not pitched in an MLB game since Aug. 23, 2023, when he was a member of the Los Angeles Angels. The ensuing surgery was Ohtani’s second significant operation on his right elbow since 2018.
He threw 50 pitches in a bullpen session last weekend. Roberts didn’t know whether Ohtani would simulate more than one inning on Sunday.
“Up to this point, he’s checked every box,” Roberts said. “But then you’re talking about really adding velocity, where I think right now it’s been tempered or controlled. You’re talking about throwing his slider to hitters, which he has only [thrown] in a bullpen. Those are two other boxes.”
Ohtani joined the Dodgers in December of 2023 on a 10-year, $700 million contract featuring heavily deferred money.
The two-way sensation has remained an elite hitter throughout his elbow recovery, winning his third MVP award last year when he became the first player in MLB history with at least 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a season.
“I do marvel quite often,” Roberts said of Ohtani’s productivity amid his rehab. “It’s sort of commonplace now, but when I take a step back, it’s pretty astounding.”
The hard-throwing Ohtani boasts a 3.01 ERA and 608 strikeouts in 481 2/3 innings in his MLB career.
The Dodgers have been especially cautious with Ohtani’s ramp-up after he underwent surgery in November to repair a labrum tear in his non-pitching left shoulder. Ohtani suffered that injury on an awkward slide during Game 2 of the World Series but played through it as Los Angeles beat the Yankees in five games.
Ohtani entered Saturday’s game with 17 home runs, one shy of Aaron Judge’s MLB lead.
“He wasn’t the same Shohei at spring training,” Roberts said. “I think once we got into the season, once we got back to the States after [the Dodgers’ season-opening series in] Japan, I thought he really let it go and felt completely strong.”
Pitchers coming back from major elbow surgery typically appear in about five minor league rehab games before they return to the majors.
That won’t be the case for Ohtani, who is too important of a hitter to leave the MLB club.
Roberts did not rule out, however, the possibility of Ohtani pitching in a minor league game on a Dodgers off day.
“This is just such a unique situation that there’s no one blueprint,” he said.
This weekend’s series is the Dodgers’ first at Citi Field since the NLCS, which Los Angeles won in six games. Ohtani went 4 for 11 with two home runs, four RBIs, five walks and five runs in that playoff series’ three games in Queens.
While Roberts said Ohtani remains in the early stages of his build-up, the manager shared what would make Sunday’s session a success in his eyes.
“I just want him to get through it healthy,” Robert said, “and be willing to get to the next step.”