Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani threw a bullpen session prior to Wednesday's game at Philadelphia, a positive step in his return from left knee irritation. The four-time MVP had been scheduled to start against the Phillies but was scratched after the knee issue kept him out of last week's All-Star Game.

Ohtani last pitched on July 3 and received a lubricant injection in his balky knee, which does not bother him while batting. He 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, before beginning a three-game series at the New York Mets on Friday.

Ohtani threw about 30 pitches in the bullpen, which Dodgers manager Dave Roberts called "a big sign." Roberts said before the game: "The grass, the flat ground, all that stuff is good. The arm's fine. It's kind of just going down the slope, getting over your front side. That's the big test." Roberts said the Dodgers still did not have a timetable for Ohtani's return to the mound.