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.

Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani will soon take the next major step toward his eventual return to the mound. Ohtani on Sunday will pitch live batting practice at Citi Field, which means he'll be facing hitters for the first time since late in the 2023 season.

I mean, there is some data we have, but some, a lot of it is just how he's feeling, he understands his body,” Dodgers pitching coach Mark Prior said.

Shohei Ohtani is getting closer to pitching for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Still, the Dodgers manager Dave Roberts shared why Ohtani will not be making any minor-league rehab starts as he works his way back from a torn UCL sustained in 2023.

An entertainer entertained right from the jump, first going through a mock sticky-substance check before facing off with Hyeseong Kim, who sent a hard-hit comebacker right at Ohtani — who stabbed it with his glove with no issue, plenty of “Wow” heard from the Dodgers contingent.

Shohei Ohtani is already known as one of the most ... Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, pitching coach Mark Prior and teammates looked on from a few feet away. It was the first sign that Ohtani ...

Despite this milestone moment, the path forward, for this singular force, remains murky. Asked what would happen next, pitching coach Mark Prior was vague.

The Dodgers looked sharp in facing hitters for the first time since undergoing a second major elbow operation.