Shohei Ohtani throws bullpen session: Timeline coming into focus as Dodgers star eyes return to mound

Ohtani has not appeared in a game as a pitcher since July 3 Aug 15, 2026 at 11:53 am ET • 4 min read For all the complaints that they're ruining baseball, the Los Angeles Dodgers won for only the 13th time in their last 29 games Friday night (LAD 3, MIL 1). In those 29 games, they've been outscored 115-136 and averaged under four runs scored (3.97 to be precise). The Dodgers are at no risk of losing the NL West or missing the postseason, but they're going through it right now, for sure.There was good news prior to Friday's game, however. Shohei Ohtani, who has not appeared in a game as a pitcher since July 3, threw his first bullpen session since being shut down with knee and biceps injuries. He threw 34 pitches and used his entire pitch mix (fastball, breaking balls, etc.). Ohtani's retur