Breaking News
National Sports

Dodgers star Ohtani close to pitching return

MLB notebook

By The Associated Press 2 min read

PHILADELPHIA -- Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani threw a bullpen session prior to Wednesday's game at Philadelphia.

Ohtani had been scheduled to start against the Phillies in the finale of the three-game series. But left knee irritation that kept him out of last week's All-Star Game scrapped those plans.

The four-time MVP last pitched on July 3. He received a lubricant injection in his balky knee, which does not bother him while batting.

Ohtani was in the lineup Wednesday batting leadoff as the designated hitter. The two-time defending World Series champion Dodgers are scheduled to visit the White House on Thursday, an off day. They begin a three-game series at the New York Mets on Friday.

Ohtani threw about 30 pitches in the bullpen.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts called that "a big sign."

"The grass, the flat ground, all that stuff is good," Roberts said before the game. "The arm's fine. It's kind of just going down the slope, getting over your front side. That's the big test."

Bradish rewarded

BALTIMORE -- Right-hander Kyle Bradish will receive $23 million to cover his final two seasons of arbitration eligibility as part of his $90 million, five-year contract with the Baltimore Orioles that starts next year.

Bradish gets salaries of $10 million in 2027, $13 million in 2028, $17 million in 2029, $22 million in 2030 and $28 million in 2031 under the deal.

Nice bonus

Chase Burns will receive a $2 million signing bonus on Sept. 1 as part of his $105 million, seven-year contract with the Cincinnati Reds that starts next year. Burns' deal calls for him to receive salaries of $2.5 million next year.

A first-time All-Star, the 23-year-old righty is 12-1 with a 2.42 ERA this year.

Starting at /week.