If it were up to Ohtani, he'd be pitching 'in a few days'

Shohei Ohtani is currently working toward a return to the pitching mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers. According to reporting from ESPN, Ohtani recently threw 30 pitches during a live batting practice session. This activity is described by The New York Times as the final step required before he can officially return to the rotation. While Ohtani has expressed a personal desire to be pitching again within a few days, as noted by MLB.com, his timeline is being managed following a setback. The Taylorville Daily News reported that Ohtani was scratched from a scheduled Friday start and will miss the All-Star Game due to knee irritation. Multiple major sports and news outlets are tracking the progress of Ohtani's recovery.

The Los Angeles Times characterizes his recent activities as a really positive step in his push to get back into the rotation. ESPN provided specific data regarding his workload, confirming the 30-pitch count during his live batting practice. The coverage across these outlets emphasizes the transition from rehabilitation to active game preparation, highlighting the tension between the player's eagerness to return and the medical necessity of managing his knee irritation to avoid further injury. Context for this trend stems from Ohtani's dual-role capabilities and the high stakes of the Dodgers' current season. The knee irritation mentioned by the Taylorville Daily News has already had a concrete impact on his availability, resulting in his absence from a Friday start and his inability to participate in the All-Star Game. This background explains why his return to facing live batters is being framed by The New York Times as a critical milestone.

For the Dodgers, Ohtani's presence in the rotation is a significant asset, making every step of his recovery a point of intense scrutiny for league analysts and fans. Future developments will center on whether the Dodgers' medical staff clears Ohtani for official game action following his live batting practice. While MLB.com reports that Ohtani would pitch in a few days if the decision were solely his, the team must determine if the knee irritation has fully subsided. Observers will be looking for an official announcement regarding his next scheduled start and whether he can maintain the workload established during his recent 30-pitch session. The progression from live batting practice to a rotation spot is the primary sequence of events to monitor in the coming days.