Shohei Ohtani to Face Live Hitters for First Time Since Elbow Surgery

Shohei Ohtani is set to face live hitters on Saturday, marking a significant milestone in his recovery from right elbow surgery. The Los Angeles Dodgers announced that Ohtani will throw live batting practice at Citi Field before their game against the New York Mets. 

Ohtani underwent elbow surgery on September 19, 2023, and has not pitched in a major league game since August 23 of that year. In recent weeks, he has been gradually increasing his pitching workload, including a 50-pitch bullpen session and the introduction of breaking pitches into his regimen.

While there is no official timeline for his return to pitching in games, the Dodgers anticipate that Ohtani could rejoin the rotation sometime after the All-Star break.

Ohtani signed a 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers after the 2023 season, the largest in professional sports history at the time. Despite being limited to designated hitter duties in 2024 due to his recovery, he made a significant impact, becoming the first player in MLB history to record 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a season and earning the National League MVP award. 

— Compiled from verified information via ESPN, MLB.com, and other reputable sources.