What happened: Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani threw a 31-pitch bullpen session Wednesday at Citizens Bank Park, his first time throwing off a mound in two weeks. Manager Dave Roberts called the full-mix workout a 'big sign' in the right-hander's recovery from left knee inflammation.
Why it matters: Ohtani has been sidelined from the starting rotation since July 3, delayed by a left knee injury that required a lubricant injection during the All-Star break. While he will not pitch during the current road trip, his progression suggests he could avoid a long-term shutdown that would require a complete rebuild of his pitching stamina.
By the numbers: Ohtani posted a 4.38 ERA over four starts while battling the knee irritation, a sharp increase from the 0.74 ERA he held prior to the flare-up.
What to watch: The Dodgers conclude their road trip this weekend against the New York Mets, and will re-evaluate Ohtani's pitching schedule in the coming days.