Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani faced hitters in live batting practice Sunday afternoon for the first time since having elbow surgery in September 2023. Ohtani has been building up slowly these last few weeks and had thrown off a mound in the bullpen several times.

This weekend’s series is the Dodgers’ first at Citi Field since the NLCS, which Los Angeles won in six games. Ohtani went 4-for-11 with two home runs, four RBI, five walks and five runs in that playoff series’ three games in Queens.

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.