A guy just hit two homers - Shohei Ohtani cannot catch a break, can he! The post Shohei Ohtani’s Pitching Comeback Timeline Revealed as MLB Insider Drops Major Update on Return to Mound appeared first on EssentiallySports.

Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani will soon take the next major step toward his eventual return to the mound. Ohtani on Sunday will pitch live batting practice at Citi Field, which means he'll be facing hitters for the first time since late in the 2023 season.

Facing countryman Kodai Senga, Ohtani cranked the ball 108.2 mph to the second deck at Citi Field, with Statcast projecting the distance at 411 feet. It was Ohtani's 18th homer of the year, tying him with Aaron Judge and Kyle Schwarber for the MLB lead. It was also only the second homer Senga had allowed all season.

Shohei Ohtani threw a live batting practice session Sunday as he continues his recovery from a shoulder injury, getting in work before the Los Angeles Dodgers faced the New York Mets.

The two-way superstar faced hitters for the first time since elbow surgery, throwing 22 pitches at Citi Field a few hours before launching a leadoff homer for the NL West-leading Dodgers in a 3-1 loss to the New York Mets.

Shohei Ohtani faced live batters in a throwing session Sunday afternoon for the first time since his 2023 elbow surgery. That checked off another important box in his path to returning to pitching and again becoming the two-way superstar who earned a $700 million contract in free agency.

Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani took his biggest step toward a return to the mound on Sunday, tossing 22 pitches during live batting practice.

I mean, there is some data we have, but some, a lot of it is just how he's feeling, he understands his body,” Dodgers pitching coach Mark Prior said.

This weekend’s series is the Dodgers’ first at Citi Field since the NLCS, which Los Angeles won in six games. Ohtani went 4-for-11 with two home runs, four RBI, five walks and five runs in that playoff series’ three games in Queens.