Ohtani throws off mound; Smith, Rushing take batting practice

LOS ANGELES -- A trio of rehabbing Dodgers took big steps forward ahead of Friday night's game against the Brewers at Dodger Stadium: Two-way star Shohei Ohtani threw his first bullpen session since restarting his throwing program, while catchers Will Smith and Dalton Rushing took batting practice on the field for the first time since going on the injured list.

Ohtani threw 34 pitches and looked to mix in some offspeed offerings. It was his first time throwing off a mound since July 22 in Philadelphia, when he experienced a setback during his bullpen session that led to him being shut down from throwing for 2 1/2 weeks. Ohtani resumed playing catch on Saturday at Chase Field and has thrown regularly since, making steady progress.

Earlier this week, manager Dave Roberts said Ohtani's bullpen progression would likely entail "a few" full sessions on the mound. After that, he may only need to face hitters once before he's ready to pitch in a game for the Dodgers. Ohtani will build up an inning at a time in big league games -- similar to his return from a second major elbow surgery last year -- and may be limited to serving as more of a multi-inning opener through the end of the regular season.

Ohtani last pitched in a game on July 3, with lingering soreness in his left knee keeping him off the mound. He went 8-2 with a 1.79 ERA in 14 starts before his pitching was put on pause indefinitely.

There is no set date for Ohtani to return to big league action, but now that his bullpen progression has begun, he could feasibly pitch in a game for the Dodgers in early to mid-September.

Hitting on the field was a big step for both Smith (inflamed disc in neck) and Rushing (partial right ulnar collateral ligament tear), but it has taken an especially long time to get to this point for the former. When Smith's neck first flared up in June, he was expected to be back in the starting lineup the following day. Instead, he wound up on the IL and has been sidelined for two months and counting.

After trying to ramp up baseball activities multiple times, Smith was shut down for a longer period of time around the All-Star break so that his neck could fully recover. Since then, his progression has been slow but steady.

Now that he's checked the box of hitting on the field, Smith will likely take batting practice several more times before facing live pitching. Once he gets to that point, he should be on the cusp of a rehab assignment. While the team has not specified a timeline for his return, he could realistically be back in early September.

Rushing, who landed on the IL on Aug. 3, has made quick progress since beginning a swing progression on Monday. He remains shut down from throwing, putting his ability to catch again this season in question. But the Dodgers are looking to at least bring him back as a hitter, which would give them a much-needed left-handed bat on a righty-heavy bench.

Without Smith and Rushing, the Dodgers have used a catching tandem of Hunter Feduccia and Ben Rortvedt, who were both reacquired at the Trade Deadline. Having one or both of Smith and Rushing back -- in any capacity -- would be a boost for L.A. behind the dish and at the plate.