Ohtani pitches in batting practice after 50-day layoff

Shohei Ohtani took another step toward returning to the Los Angeles Dodgers’ pitching rotation Saturday, throwing 30 pitches to a batter for the first time in 50 days after being sidelined by left knee discomfort. Ohtani threw to Dodgers catcher Will Smith before Los Angeles’ home game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Dodger Stadium. Smith is currently recovering from a neck injury and is on the injured list. Ohtani’s last major league start was July 4. The two-way star, who is 8-2 with a 1.79