Dodgers manager Dave Roberts liked what he saw from Shohei Ohtani in his first live pitching performance since surgery.

Two-way star Shohei Ohtani did not play in either of LA's first two Spring Training games, and he was again absent from the lineup on Saturday against the Kansas City Royals. The 2024 National League MVP served exclusively as LA's designated hitter last season, but has been throwing bullpens in preparation for a return to the mound.

One of the biggest questions for the Los Angeles Dodgers entering this season is exactly how big of a role Shohei Ohtani will play on the mound for the defending world champions.

In seven seasons as a hitter, Ohtani has a .282 batting average with a .945 OPS, 225 home runs and 567 RBIs in 860 games. As a pitcher, he is 38-19 with a 3.01 ERA in 86 starts over five separate seasons. He has undergone two elbow surgeries since making his MLB debut in 2018.

Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani touched 95 mph for the first time in his bullpen sessions this spring. On Saturday, Ohtani threw a 25-pitch bullpen with a variety of fastballs. More news: Dodgers Named Potential Landing Spot for $275 Million All-Star in Blockbuster Trade The Dodgers superstar also added a cutter,

Following elbow surgery that kept him off the mound for the entire 2024 season, Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei

Shohei Ohtani has yet to be in the Los Angeles Dodgers lineup for a Cactus League game, nor has he so much as faced batters as a pitcher, but the two-way superstar continues to make progress on both fronts.