Ohtani says he will throw his first traditional bullpen session this weekend, at which point he will begin the process of preparing to join the Dodgers’ rotation, likely in May.

The Dodgers are hopeful that the real challenge for Shohei Ohtani this year won’t be about his health, but rather his process of re-acclimating to the two-way role that made him a superstar.

Shohei Ohtani is ready to begin his pitching comeback, and the Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander said Wednesday that he will throw a bullpen session this weekend. Ohtani underwent Tommy John surgery in September 2023 while still with the Los Angeles Angels.