Ohtani was expected to be a hitter only in his first season with the Dodgers, but the team hoped he could resume the two-way responsibilities that made him a superstar by Opening Day of this year. That obviously hasn't happened, as a torn labrum in his non-throwing shoulder sustained in the 2024 World Series threw off his offseason rehab timetable.

It has been over a year since Shohei Ohtani last operated as a two-way player for the Los Angeles Dodgers, but it sounds like he is on the verge of returning to that role.

Per ESPN's Karl Ravech, "there is a growing feeling among Dodgers that Shohei Ohtani will return to pitching sometime this week" after not pitching for the last season-plus. Earlier this week, Ohtani threw 44 pitches across three simulated innings at Petco Park in San Diego, a major step towards making his return.