The Los Angeles Dodgers’ superstar, a two-way player who pitches and bats as a designated hitter, has not thrown to batters off a mound in 641 days after elbow surgery in September 2023. But in a simulated game before the Dodgers’ matchup with the New York Mets at Citi Field on Sunday, Ohtani threw 22 pitches to five batters.

The MLB offseason was a long time ago. You can tell from how we're no longer talking about the Los Angeles Dodgers having the best pitching staff ever, much less setting the all-time win record.

Ohtani took the mound in front of a group of Dodgers onlookers -- a mix of players, coaches and front office executives.