Shohei Ohtani threw 22 pitches across five simulated plate appearances at Citi Field ahead of his Los Angeles Dodgers’ game against the New York Mets, facing hitters for the first time in almost two years.

Working from the windup and smiling between batters, Ohtani deftly snagged a comebacker, struck out two hitters and walked his final one in a session that lasted about 10 minutes. Kim lined a ball into the right-field corner that likely would have gone for a double or triple.

Shohei Ohtani took a significant step Sunday toward making his pitching debut for the Los Angeles Dodgers. The two-way superstar faced hitters for the first time since elbow surgery, throwing 22 pitches at Citi Field before the NL West-leading Dodgers played the New York Mets.