Ausmus: Ohtani weeks away from throwing off mound

Shohei Ohtani could soon take another step forward in his recovery from Tommy John surgery.

The Los Angeles Angels' two-way star - who is the team's designated hitter while recovering from the elbow procedure - could begin throwing off a mound in July, according to Dawn Klemish of MLB.com

“He’s getting close,” Angels manager Brad Ausmus said. “I don’t know the exact date … but I would say weeks, assuming everything goes well.”

Ohtani underwent the surgery on Oct. 1, 2018. The recovery timeline is typically 12-15 months.

The 24-year-old won last year's AL Rookie of the Year award after slashing .285/.361/.564 with 22 home runs while registering a 3.31 ERA across 51 2/3 innings (10 starts). This season, he entered Thursday's action with a .775 OPS in 30 games.

“I don’t want to say it’s probable, but it’s possible,” Ausmus said when asked if Ohtani will be on the mound before the All-Star break.