The Dodgers plan to have Shohei Ohtani resume bullpen pitching this week, with no clear timeline for his return to the starting rotation.

The Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies started a three-game series today. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts stated before the game that Shohei Ohtani is anticipated to return to bullpen throwing later this week, though no exact date has been set for his comeback as a starting pitcher.

According to an Associated Press report today, Ohtani was originally scheduled to start the final game of the Phillies series, but the team canceled that plan due to discomfort in his left knee, which also caused him to miss last week's All-Star Game.

The four-time MVP last pitched on July 3. He subsequently received an injection in his left knee, but the issue does not affect his hitting performance.

Roberts emphasized that the decisions to give Ohtani the injection, skip the All-Star Game, and cancel his scheduled start were not due to a worsening of the injury, but rather because the knee condition had not improved.

Before the game against the Phillies, Roberts said: "All these steps are aimed at giving him the best chance to fully overcome this issue and be completely healthy."

Roberts revealed that Ohtani is expected to resume bullpen pitching later this week, possibly as early as Thursday or Friday. The Dodgers have a day off on Friday and will follow tradition by visiting the White House to be honored for winning last year's World Series, then travel to New York on Saturday for a three-game series against the Mets.

When asked whether Ohtani might return to the starting rotation soon, perhaps as early as next week, Roberts replied: "I don't know. He first needs to resume throwing, and then we'll see how things go."

The report noted that the Dodgers, seeking a third consecutive championship, currently hold a 63-37 record, the best in Major League Baseball, and lead the National League West by 11.5 games over the second-place team. As a result, the team is taking a very cautious approach to Ohtani's return, ensuring he is fully recovered before stepping back on the mound.