Ohtani threw a bullpen session Saturday and could face live hitters before the Dodgers face the Cubs in Japan in mid-March.

Ohtani is coming off two surgeries to his elbow within five years, not to mention surgery three months ago to repair a torn labrum in his left (non-throwing) shoulder. And yet there he was throwing free and easy in a new, improved form. It’s just one more reason why Ohtani continues to amaze us.

Shohei Ohtani took his most significant step to date in his rehab as a pitcher on Saturday, throwing his first official bullpen session of the year.