On Saturday, 2024 NL MVP Shohei Ohtani inched closer to a return to the mound following a “positive” bullpen session. 

For someone who’s already accomplished a lot in his short time in a Dodgers uniform, the two-way star’s pending pitching sets Ohtani up to check off the final box in giving fans the full Ohtani experience.

Lead the NL in home runs? Check. Earn MVP honors? Check. Win a World Series? Check.

Ohtani has already lived up to his mammoth 10-year, $700 million deal ($680 million of which is deferred to when his contract expires) he signed in December 2023, despite not pitching during his first season with the Dodgers following September 2023 right elbow surgery.

He appeared in 159 games in 2024 and slashed .310/.390/.646 with 54 home runs and 130 runs batted in (RBI).

Ohtani has been just as outstanding at the plate through 10 games this season. He’s slashed .297/.422/.568 with three home runs, including a walk-off against the Braves on April 2.

The Dodgers and Ohtani have been just fine with the global superstar strictly batting, but they’ll benefit immensely with him back on the mound.

The four-time All-Star last pitched on Aug. 23, 2023, during his last season with the Angels. He started 23 games that year, posting a 3.14 earned run average (ERA) with 167 strikeouts and 55 walks in 132 innings. Ohtani’s best season on the mound came in 2022 when he finished fourth in AL Cy Young Award voting after notching a 2.33 ERA in 166 innings (28 starts).

Per ESPN, Ohtani threw 26 pitches during Saturday’s session, and he included splitters during his tune-up for major league action.

“Dodgers manager labeled [it] as ‘positive,'” according to ESPN, which also noted that Los Angeles will use a six-man starter rotation when he returns.

Ohtani has had a gilded beginning to his Dodgers career, and it’s about to get better.