Dodgers Notes: Ohtani Throws to Hitters, Roki Sasaki to Resume Throwing Program, Evan Phillips Injury Setback
LOS ANGELES, CA— Happy Thursday! The Los Angeles Dodgers have off today as they travel back to Los Angeles and prepare for a massive three-game series against the New York Yankees, their first meeting since last year’s Fall Classic.
However, while the team was on the road the last several days, we got plenty of updates sprinkled throughout the roster and the highly anticipated return of two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani on the mound at Citi Field.
Ohtani Faced Hitters for the First Time Since Surgery
For the first time in nearly two years, two-way superstar and three-time Most Valuable Player Award winner Shohei Ohtani faced hitters on a Major League mound.
Ohtani, 30, underwent season-ending Tommy John revision surgery in the final month of his 2023 season with the Los Angeles Angels before signing a massive 10-year, $700 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers that winter.
Ohtani was exclusively a designated hitter for the Dodgers last season, but the unicorn still found a way to become the first player to win the MVP award as a designated hitter, thanks to his power and speed on the base paths, creating the 50/50 club.
However, entering the 2025 season, all eyes were on Ohtani, who was set to return to his iconic two-way player status. The Dodgers have been very slow with Ohtani in his throwing progression, limiting it to just a few spring training bullpen sessions before shutting that down prior to the early start to the 2025 Major League season in Tokyo, Japan.
Once the Dodgers returned to the States, Ohtani continued his throwing program, which included mid-week light bullpen sessions and a heavier weekend session on the mound. It wasn’t until recently that Ohtani started to incorporate more than just fastballs and splitters.
However, with the righty starting to throw his entire pitch arsenal, the next step was facing live hitters, which Ohtani accomplished at Citi Field during the Dodgers’ six-game road trip.
Overall, it was a great first session for Ohtani, who threw twenty-three pitches and collected two strikeouts and a groundout. He also issued a walk and allowed a double to Korean teammate Hyeseong Kim.
According to Dodgers pitching coach Mark Prior, Ohtani threw mostly in the 94-95 mph range, and he touched 96-97 mph a few times.
However, don’t expect a quick return to games, per Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, who stated that he can firmly state Ohtani’s return to the starting rotation will be post-2025 All-Star break.
Roki Sasaki Set to Begin Throwing Program
23-year-old Japanese rookie Roki Sasaki is set to begin a throwing program in the coming days, per Dave Roberts.
Sasaki was placed on the Dodgers’ 15-day injured list in early May after experiencing right shoulder discomfort.
The injury is not new for the 23-year-old Japanese phenom, as last year with the Chiba Lotte Marines, Sasaki had similar shoulder issues and an oblique injury that forced the righty to miss significant time.
When Sasaki arrived at spring training, the Dodgers didn’t entirely know what to expect with his health. Due to multiple injuries, the righty was thrown as the Dodgers’ number two starter, which was never a recipe for success.
“We didn’t know what to expect this year, but to think that he was going to go wire to wire, given his track record and history of innings, was probably unrealistic,” Roberts said. “So this could be that little bit of reprieve in the middle of the season that we can get him back to being healthy, feeling strong and 100 percent and, you know, help us get through the World Series.”
The right-hander will likely require a multi-week buildup before potentially returning to the major league roster. Sasaki will progress from playing catch to throwing a bullpen session before launching a minor-league rehab assignment.
Sasaki was the third Dodgers starting pitcher to be placed on the injured list this season, joining righty Tyler Glasnow and lefty Blake Snell, with all three having a similar shoulder injury.
Evan Phillips‘ Injury More Serious Than Expected
It has been an injury-riddled twelve months for Dodgers super reliever Evan Phillips, who has battled numerous injuries.
Phillips was placed on the 15-day injured list earlier this month due to forearm tightness that he and Dave Roberts initially did not put much concern into, but now, after a few weeks, that concern has risen.
“It’s starting to get a little concerning,” Roberts said. “I don’t know how long we can give it until he can attempt to start playing catch again. I’m getting a little kind of concerned, but hoping for the best.”
Phillips was originally placed on the injured list for forearm discomfort in early May, but an MRI later revealed that the root of the problem was the inflammation in his elbow.
Phillips is one of fourteen Dodgers pitchers on the injured list, and a key part of a bullpen that feels his absence. In his handful of games in 2025, Phillips had yet to allow a run, throwing six strikeouts to two walks in 5.2 innings.
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