Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said there now is a "north of zero" chance Shohei Ohtani joins the team's rotation before the All-Star break, a sign of the strides the two-way star has made in his pitching rehab.

Shohei Ohtani is moving ever closer to his first pitching appearance for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Manager Dave Roberts said Tuesday there’s now a chance his fans might not even have to wait until the All-Star break.

For the first time since Shohei Ohtani put on a Los Angeles Dodgers uniform, it finally feels like his return to pitching is close. On Tuesday, Ohtani took a major step in his recovery, throwing a three inning simulated game against minor leaguers at Petco Park ahead of the Dodgers' second game of their series against the San Diego Padres.