The Los Angeles Dodgers' star player, Shohei Ohtani, took a significant step towards his highly anticipated return to pitching next season. Yesterday, Ohtani threw off the mound for the first time in over eleven months, marking a positive development in his recovery from elbow surgery.

Although today's ten-pitch bullpen session doesn't change the fact that Ohtani won't pitch in the majors this year, it serves as a promising indicator that he is well on his way to returning to his two-way play. The Dodgers are looking forward to having him back on the pitching mound for the 2025 regular season, where they will open with a two-game set against the Cubs in Japan.

Despite not throwing an official pitch for the Dodgers in his first year of the record-breaking ten-year deal with the club, Ohtani has been an unstoppable force as a position player. At 30 years old, Ohtani is currently the front-runner for this year's NL MVP award, adding another accolade to his already impressive resume. He previously captured both the AL MVP award in 2021 and 2023 during his time with the Angels.

Ohtani's offensive performance has been remarkable this season. In 126 games with the Dodgers, he has recorded a slash line of .292/.378/.614 (170 wRC+), proving to be a consistent threat in the team's star-studded lineup. Just last night, Ohtani became only the sixth player in MLB history to hit 40 home runs and steal 40 bases in a single season, joining an elite group of players.

One notable aspect of Ohtani's contribution to the Dodgers is his durability. While other superstars like Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman have missed playing time due to injuries, Ohtani has appeared in 126 of the team's 129 games. His consistency and presence have played a significant role in the Dodgers' pursuit of their 12th consecutive playoff appearance.

Meanwhile, another free agent addition from the past offseason, right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto, is also making progress towards a return. Yamamoto, who has been sidelined by a rotator cuff strain since June, recently threw a two-inning simulated game, indicating positive progress. If his upcoming bullpen session goes well, Yamamoto is expected to start a rehab assignment next Wednesday.

On the other hand, the rehab plan for right-hander Tyler Glasnow is described as a "slow process" by manager Dave Roberts. Glasnow was placed on the 15-day injured list due to elbow tendinitis, and while he has resumed playing catch from 60 feet, there is no timeline for his return. The Dodgers are taking cautious measures to ensure Glasnow's healthy return for the playoffs, despite the regular season being secure for the team.

With the surging Diamondbacks and Padres closing in on the Dodgers in the NL West race, the team will continue to rely on Ohtani's offensive prowess to secure their 11th NL West title in the past 12 years. As Ohtani progresses in his recovery and Yamamoto shows positive signs of returning to action, the Dodgers remain hopeful for a strong finish to the season and a successful postseason run.