The decision is partly a matter of comfort, with Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto accustomed to pitching essentially once a week dating back to their time in Japan. It also factored prominently, the Dodgers believe, into their ability to land phenom Roki Sasaki this winter — like his countrymen, Sasaki is used to pitching on a once-per-week schedule.

Ohtani says he will throw his first traditional bullpen session this weekend, at which point he will begin the process of preparing to join the Dodgers’ rotation, likely in May.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have received a major update regarding Shohei Ohtani’s return to pitching, and it fits right into their long-term game plan. Ohtani, who had a second major elbow surgery, hasn’t thrown a pitch since August 2023.