A crucial LA Dodgers update is provided by Shohei Ohtani's bullpen session.

MLB Trade A crucial LA Dodgers update is provided by Shohei Ohtani's bullpen session.

At the beginning of spring training, it might have appeared to be merely a bullpen session. 

But for Los Angeles Dodgers fans, seeing Shohei Ohtani on the mound after Tommy John surgery and knowing that he is in fact on the verge of making a full-time comeback gave them a much-needed confidence boost on Saturday.

Ohtani recorded velocities of 92 to 94 mph and threw 14 pitches, all of which were fastballs, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts informed reporters. Ohtani's session was characterized by Dodgers pitching coach Mark Prior as "dipping his toe back in the water," while Roberts considered Ohtani's bullpen performance to be "great."

FIRST LOOK: Shohei Ohtani is back on the mound throwing his first bullpen of Spring Training. pic.twitter.com/E06ND3O5SJ

— MLB (@MLB) February 15, 2025

Even though the bullpen session was brief, Ohtani's return to pitching from an MLB mound—something he hasn't done since joining the Los Angeles Angels on August 23, 2023—was a good step.

Naturally, a lot has happened to Ohtani since then. He signed a huge 10-year contract with the Dodgers and helped the team win its eighth World Series and 25th National League pennant last season.

Ohtani's historic season, in which he became the first MLB player to achieve 50+ home runs and 50+ steals in a single season, contributed to the team's victory. He won his third MVP award (the prior two were with the Angels) and the National League MVP award thanks to those 54 home runs and 59 stolen bases.

Even though Ohtani was a fantastic designated hitter for the team the previous season, when he takes the mound again in 2025, his value might increase even more. Ohtani told reporters earlier this week that he should be ready to resume his designated-hitting responsibilities this spring and pitch in a game in May following arthroscopic surgery on his left shoulder in November.

On March 18, Ohtani and the Dodgers play the Chicago Cubs in the first game of a two-game series in Tokyo to start the season.