# Shohei Ohtani throws bullpen session, expected to pitch again during regular season

> **Open Intelligence Dossier** · First detected: 2026-08-15 15:07 UTC · Category: Sports

## Executive Summary
Shohei Ohtani has completed a successful bullpen session, signaling a likely return to the mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers during the current regular season.

## Intelligence Brief
Shohei Ohtani has taken a significant step toward returning to the pitching rotation for the Los Angeles Dodgers. According to reports from MLB.com and the Los Angeles Times, Ohtani recently threw a bullpen session, which is described as an important milestone in his recovery and push to return to the mound. This update was announced by the Los Angeles Dodgers during their series against the Milwaukee Brewers. Reports from Yahoo Sports confirm that Ohtani completed the bullpen session without experiencing any issues and is scheduled to throw another session in the near future. Multiple major news outlets are tracking the development, with ESPN and CBS Sports emphasizing that the timeline for Ohtani's return is now coming into focus.


Reuters reports that the Dodgers organization is optimistic about his progress. The coverage from USA Today suggests that a pitching return is looking more likely given the current trajectory of his rehabilitation. This collective reporting indicates a coordinated effort by the team to manage his return to the mound while monitoring his physical response to throwing. This development is critical because Ohtani's dual-threat capability as both a hitter and a pitcher is a central component of the Dodgers' strategy. While MLB.com noted that other players like Smith and Rushing were taking batting practice during Ohtani's session, the focus remains on Ohtani's ability to reintegrate into the pitching rotation.


The New York Times specifically highlights that he is expected to pitch again during the regular season, marking a transition from his current status back to active pitching duties. Looking forward, the Dodgers are reportedly considering a new pitching role for Ohtani upon his return, according to Yahoo Sports. Observers will be watching for the results of his next scheduled bullpen session to determine if the current momentum continues. The team's final decision regarding his specific role in the rotation will likely depend on the outcome of these subsequent throwing sessions as they approach the end of the regular season.

## Multi-Source Evidence Table
| Source Outlet | Headline | Verification URL |
|---|---|---|
| Yahoo Sports | Los Angeles Dodgers Announce Shohei Ohtani Update During Brewers Series | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMijAFBVV95cUxPeDZteGt6dDlCbmowREphQXRjelBCckM2RGxhWEMwbU4zQVVhOXptWUhPUDRKbXhIai1XRHN5aG5DMTF4SWtzNUwweDJjU1huLWlOQ2R6UmJ6OHJFRHFJeUdfNWpOdHQ4d3dpLTZBQ3djTlFwVk5ueUZfbXdHdHJlTUhaT3lrend1OEtlbg?oc=5) |
| Yahoo Sports | Shohei Ohtani comes out of his bullpen session without issues and will throw another | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMijAFBVV95cUxQM01qXzMweTVGRFI1UERBeVZDVm05RUNNVDBBMkxlSVhvWV9wNjZqelpfREJRaXp4QlBzTm94eDk2TnZySDUtZWllNHFfV28xOV9kMDBJRS1RNDczd2l0ZzVocGtpSGFNYVFLS2lIU0F4T2dwcnRxa25fbzJXU1BLNHBtRmg3X0xwQkNZcA?oc=5) |
| Reuters | Dodgers optimistic about Shohei Ohtani's return to mound | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiogFBVV95cUxOX1cwakFOLTF0Mm9UOVoyeDhoOEsyTTZ0am5hSzA4b2hUXzdabGg2S1pBal93ZmR3QU5RclN1SlNkYzYtU3ZzZTJnbWp4U3E0aW5kU1FDZXFvZURMREM3eHNCZGFrRGRqcWwyVDV4RVFWbnpPSUpnQ09GakZEa3d5OE1vTWpPdHJnZGwzaUlUWGI5Q211dVlSNjctMTdMUGpWZmc?oc=5) |
| Los Angeles Times | Shohei Ohtani takes important step in his push to return to Dodgers’ rotation | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiqwFBVV95cUxQLXE5SUJ1NDN4aW9QX1lWTzJvbGJld3JZT0h1eEQ2NVFjVVdXX2JlcGRmMEtHTm1tZjVjSy1YZ3QxS3pvbzRVUmE0UU5SdFFSWHZRaDBYSTZseEF3WkJYUDhLSVlvbWN4VzNtSWNablNVelptZE5mODk4eUVDRXk5VWw5TlU5dGZ0Rmg1VzM3MUYzZWhoUEJqcUtFbEozSXNCMlllbjdKWE9lR2c?oc=5) |
| CBS Sports | Shohei Ohtani throws bullpen session: Timeline coming into focus as Dodgers star eyes return to mound | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMinAFBVV95cUxQZ1VSMk1BS0x4NzhrSURPdVZmT3B6M2o4WHktYzVHcHJid012NFB3bVpUMm93RG1XUlIzbDR3M21sMU52THFHc0ZNUXNUWXpkR2ppQXU2WG5kdlNPQXFMYjZ5b19nSGVYUE44ejgyYlpud3ZqUnQ3YUNDRElmajJCdkc5TWhUSEI3czRaUHJvV2VXTjZibFdBeDZfWTk?oc=5) |
| USA Today | Shohei Ohtani's Dodgers pitching return looks more likely. Here's why | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMisAFBVV95cUxOd1M1X2lHRE9IUHdadWN5a0t3N05ZclFLWG1tVktkc2NWOUtaRWM5V3o5NFhhQnBZV21Zc3I5cjJHaGxSMUxFQzZUejFHenVDYl9DYW1xNVZZSm9lSEF5V2FiLXNGcXhUaWh1NFRXMmZnd3dYR3pvVmgwVjhKUnlnUWVTdVFKMVZBMkhnaWJRXzJUa0VCdkhkVkgyYW1TZU1ITm1PNTZyY0IwdC1pVnczcQ?oc=5) |
| Yahoo Sports | Dodgers Considering New Pitching Role for Ohtani’s Return | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMikwFBVV95cUxPSHFiY2ZoSHFjTGZrTnFRSlBhLVZOT0cwSi1lMEVjRloxdlBlY3FET1JOcWtMa3NyeUpmNHJxYXN4R0xNMFowcTE2MzJrRHZXMnF2LTczVHJyX3BRS01wTlFKR0JsQVpIeHF2M2psWnptYmJfTnVrME5rRXhra2JvdVdLbUVYcUZ1eHd0Q2VIRXFOSXM?oc=5) |
| MLB.com | Ohtani throws off mound; Smith, Rushing take batting practice | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMihgFBVV95cUxQWDV0bFVvb1oyNk4wTmdEdXFPd29MckZJcDlzaXdpWkx6REw0bW94YVYxcmNlZFhGN09IT01OaGlWNXV6LXRDMXBxQndjc2FOS2RRRFBVWE1XbXhVak1jTktRNGJ6QWRhODZaTko4dmxVTk1TOHR3RmE2Y1FNMFB6ZjB4cGZqUdIBkgFBVV95cUxPQjVYcGk3cGhETlRpbm1HRURYZlNudWdaZnBfRUV6SS1nTnBFQ2hxZkpiZVNlaWhIdGRKRjJWRmJMME9Fd01mNzZnaVNlVHZ0NHVVenRlUlRPa1ZaazhHOEUxUXBlbmVZbjF5bnk4Y3ExdDluSmZjVjJlTlIwWWotMjJ4c0FZN3dDM1ppblk0NEJhdw?oc=5) |
| ESPN | Dodgers' Ohtani throws bullpen session in big step toward return | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMinwFBVV95cUxQWlJDSE1Zb1duT2YzWDhvSGpmSDJjbWZGaGh1Uzc3b01xVkF2MkJDVXRWX1Z0YWdCb04tQV9uc3M2bXJDelRUWGMzRWxMWXRTSDFaWHUyaERfN0wzUmNoOU1DeUxyb0tCWlgzNjdRSWlYSmhmU04zUXJCQTJ3dkdJR0tqVFRPSjIyNlhFWEtkMlo5QTl0T3pMRDdKbjNGUlk?oc=5) |
| The New York Times | Shohei Ohtani throws bullpen session, expected to pitch again during regular season | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMingFBVV95cUxOMFY4SjFwUG9kb1FEV2pEUU9aTTlMSFJtaEdWQ3JGRVFkNW5wdGhEdXVrUDNNYWtPdW1MaGdDdFBzQmlJcVZCWlBiRWxSSGo1TF9FZnFKdmVJQ0Z5RXE3NERvQnoyeGZleTFEdFducjlQVmhnOXBWX2FBOEFEODN4N01mWVVMQnRPdjZvalpONHAyb2xjR1hzbG1ET3QwQQ?oc=5) |

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*Canonical Source: https://pulse.byoviral.com/trend/2026-08-15/shohei-ohtani-throws-bullpen-session-expected-to-pitch-again-during-regular*