Shohei Ohtani pitching update: Dodgers star takes step forward with bullpen session

Shohei Ohtani took a step forward in his potential return to the mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday, July 22.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Ohtani's bullpen session was a "big sign" the superstar is making progress toward rejoining the pitching rotation.

"It's a big sign because I think that the grass, the flat ground, all that stuff is well and good,” Roberts told reporters. “The arm's fine; it's more of just going down the slope, getting over your front side. That's the big test."

Ohtani was pulled from a scheduled start on the mound before the MLB All-Star break due to inflammation and irritation in his left knee.

Roberts stated on Wednesday that he “can't foresee (Ohtani) going out there and throwing 100 pitches on his first outing.”

Ohtani is expected to throw another bullpen session on Saturday, July 25 at Citi Field in New York.

The manager had informed reporters last week that Ohtani did have lubricant injected into his knee but did not have it drained. The injection is expected to provide the All-Star with relief in his knee.

Ohtani was initially scheduled to start on Wednesday, but the Dodgers then decided against that and are expected to be cautious with the superstar’s workload in the second half. 

Ohtani has continued to bat as the designated hitter for Los Angeles. He went 0-for-4 at the plate on Wednesday in a 9-5 victory against the Phillies. He was walked once.

The league's leading vote-getter withdrew from the MLB All-Star Game due to discomfort in the knee, which has impacted his pitching mechanics.

When will the Dodgers play next?

Ohtani and the Dodgers will begin a three-game series against the New York Mets on Friday, July 24. The defending World Series champions will visit the White House on Thursday, July 23.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Shohei Ohtani pitching update: Dodgers star takes step forward with bullpen session