Ohtani cleared to begin throwing progression as elbow has 'improved'

Shohei Ohtani is moving closer to a return to the pitcher's mound.

After being limited to designated hitter duties for over a month due to an elbow injury, the Los Angeles Angels announced that Ohtani has been cleared to begin a throwing progression as part of his rehab as a pitcher. The two-way phenom's injured ulnar collateral ligament showed "improved healing" at his six-week evaluation with doctors on Thursday.

Specifics about his progress and the program itself will be revealed by the team at a later date.

Ohtani hasn't pitched since June 6, when he was placed on the DL after a partial tear of his UCL was discovered. Rather than going under the knife for Tommy John surgery, he received a series of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections, followed by rest and rehab. The nature of his injury did allow for the 23-year-old to return to the field as a DH earlier this month while continuing his rehab as a pitcher.

On the mound, Ohtani has made nine starts this year, posting a 3.10 ERA and 1.135 WHIP with 61 strikeouts and 20 walks. As a hitter, he is slashing .283/.365/.522 with seven homers, 10 doubles, and 22 RBIs in 157 plate appearances.