Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani throws bullpen session, still ‘a ways away’ as pitcher

LOS ANGELES — Shohei Ohtani went back to work at his part-time job Saturday.

Ohtani threw off a mound for the first time since Feb. 25, throwing 20 pitches (fastballs only) in a bullpen session. Ohtani had limited his throwing to flat-ground work over the past month, prioritizing his preparations as a hitter and taking a break from his pitching rehab.

After originally projecting a May return for Ohtani as a pitcher, the Dodgers have now backed off that and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Saturday that Ohtani will need a lot of time still before he is ready to pitch in games again.

“It’s going to be awhile,” Roberts said. “I think you start with the natural progression of a bullpen. You’ve got to kind of mix in different pitches to then face hitters again. It’s a start. I don’t have a timeline. I don’t think anyone does. We’re a ways away.”

Roberts said there is no urgency for Ohtani to ramp up his pitching rehab. The Dodgers have a handful of options beyond their current starting rotation. Tony Gonsolin is expected to start a rehab assignment soon. Clayton Kershaw and Emmett Sheehan are expected back at some point in mid-season. Bobby Miller and Justin Wrobleski are in Triple-A.

“It’s more making sure we pick back up where we were before and feel confident that the respite, the pull back, was right and he’s building back up the right way with his delivery,” he said. “I think once he starts facing hitters and does two, three up-downs (simulated innings) then I think you can start penciling some things out. But right now, it’s just monitoring things.”

Ohtani had his second major elbow surgery in September 2023 and spent the 2024 season rehabbing from that. He pulled back on his throwing during the playoffs last fall and again this spring. But the Dodgers are still committed to bringing Ohtani back as a pitcher.

“I think we’re still a very good club with him as (only) a DH,” Roberts said. “We still want him to pitch. He wants to pitch. I think he can handle it. He’s done it in the past. I think the question is how much do we need him right now and I think we’ve answered that. His health is paramount, most important. So whenever that time is and his buildup reaches its full maturation, he’ll pitch for us.”

NANCY BEA

Long-time Dodger Stadium organist Nancy Bea Hefley has died, according to a social media post by her son and the Dodgers. Hefley was 89.

Hefley got her start when she filled in for a friend as organist at Angels home games in the mid-80s. When she was offered the full-time job, she declined, not wanting to take the job from her friend.

In 1987, Helen Dell retired after 15 years as the Dodger Stadium organist, and Hefley auditioned at an exhibition game between the Dodgers and USC Trojans the following spring. She got the job and played at Dodger Stadium until her retirement in October 2015.

IN AND OUT

Kike’ Hernandez returned to full status Saturday after missing Thursday’s game with an illness and not playing Friday. Roberts said it was just a “one night” illness.

“It was then just to make sure that he rests and stays away from guys in the clubhouse,” Roberts said. “And then once we felt he was in a good place, to bring him back and get going again.”

Meanwhile, Mookie Betts was given the day off after his two-home run game Friday, including a walkoff homer. After fighting a virus for two weeks, Roberts said he didn’t want to push Betts yet.

“We planned on it, talked about it,” Roberts said. “He hadn’t played three (games) in a row in quite some time. And then you layer on what he went through the last 10 days. So to have him give everything he has for two days in a row, to then have a work day today, rest his mind, body, have tomorrow the scheduled day off, and then be ready to go on Monday.

“We talked about it. And I didn’t want to pivot just because he had a big night last night. I want to stick to the plan as what we expected.”

KERSHAW WORK

As expected, Clayton Kershaw threw to hitters in live batting practice before Saturday’s game.

Kershaw faced Chris Taylor and two minor-leaguers brought in for the weekend, Brendan Tunink (an eighth-round pick in last year’s draft) and Emil Morales (a well-regarded prospect who made his debut last summer in the Dominican).

Kershaw threw one simulated inning.

UP NEXT

The Dodgers are off Sunday.

Braves (RHP Grant Holmes, 0-0, 0.00 ERA) at Dodgers (RHP Tyler Glasnow, 9-6, 3.49 ERA in 2024), Monday 7:10 p.m. PT, SportsNet LA, 570 AM