Ohtani throws 50-pitch bullpen session in return from elbow surgery; Kershaw activated

LOS ANGELES AP Los Angeles Dodgers slugger Shohei Ohtani threw a -pitch bullpen session Saturday another step in his throwing initiative in his return from elbow surgery Ohtani advanced from the pitches he tossed in is previous bullpen session on the same day that the Dodgers activated left-handed pitcher Clayton Kershaw who made his season debut against the Los Angeles Angels Ohtani did not throw any sliders in the bullpen He simulated a two-inning outing by throwing pitches resting and then finishing with more pitches Ohtani was the designated hitter Saturday against his former company As a pitcher for the Angels the right-hander went - with a ERA and strikeouts in innings He made starts with the Angels from - Ohtani hasn t pitched in a major league event since Aug for the Angels He is recovering from right elbow surgery on Sept There is no timetable for his return to the mound The -year-old Kershaw began his th MLB season on the injured list while recovering from toe and knee surgeries He made five rehab starts and went - with a ERA in innings He entered Saturday s start as the club s all-time strikeout leader at and was - with a ERA in appearances starts With Saturday s start the three-time Cy Young Award winner ties Zack Wheat and Bill Russell for the most of years with the Dodgers franchise To make room on the roster for Kershaw right-hander Ryan Loutos was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City Also left-hander Blake Snell shoulder was transferred to the -day injured list Snell who of late started a light throwing venture has made just two starts for the Dodgers and has not pitched since April He signed a five-year million contract with the Dodgers in the offseason AP MLB https apnews com hub MLB Source