DETROIT -- Shohei Ohtani threw a lighter-than-usual bullpen session ahead of Friday night's game against the Tigers at Comerica Park. The Dodgers will set next steps for their two-way star depending on how he comes out of it, which could include Ohtani starting a game on the mound as soon as Sunday.
Manager Dave Roberts said the team will see how Ohtani feels on Saturday before deciding whether he starts Sunday. Ohtani threw around 20 pitches, but he typically throws at least 30 pitches in his pre-start bullpen sessions. It was Ohtani's decision to throw fewer pitches than usual.
"It was short. I wasn’t out there for it," Roberts said. "I really don’t know what to make of it because I didn’t put eyes on it. Obviously I’ve got to talk to Shohei, talk to [pitching coach] Mark [Prior] and then we’ll make a decision for Sunday. But again, I have to have that conversation."
Ohtani last pitched on July 3 and has been out of the rotation indefinitely due to lingering soreness in his left knee. He went 8-2 with a 1.79 ERA in 14 starts before his pitching was put on hold. The Dodgers believe that Ohtani's knee discomfort is behind him, although the knee has been tested more as his ramp-up intensifies.
Last Saturday in L.A., Ohtani checked an important box by facing hitters for the first time. After that, he was initially scheduled to throw off the mound again at some point during this week's series in Atlanta, but the Dodgers pushed his bullpen session back to Friday. That aligns with Ohtani's typical between-starts routine, as he usually throws a bullpen session two days beforehand.
Ohtani's return to the mound will likely only be one inning, with the goal of building him up to five innings before the postseason. If he starts on Sunday, he would essentially serve as the opener for Tyler Glasnow, who is scheduled to pitch in the finale in Detroit regardless. Ohtani could also start in L.A. against the Cardinals on Tuesday, when Eric Lauer would likely cover bulk innings behind him.
"It’s not a hiding-the-ball situation," Roberts said. "We have the starter we need in Tyler, and if we don’t and Shohei can throw an inning, then we’ll do that."