Shohei Ohtani took another significant step back toward returning to a Major League mound Monday by throwing a simulated game at the Angels' facility in Tempe, Ariz. The team told reporters that Ohtani's throwing session went smoothly.
Ohtani has not pitched in a Major League game since June 6 and missed nearly a month of action after an MRI revealed a Grade 2 sprain in the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) of his right pitching elbow. The Japanese phenom has been back in action as the Angels' designated hitter since he was cleared to hit at the beginning of July, but has only recently resumed his throwing program.