Ohtani throws at 80 percent, 'getting closer'

BOSTON -- Two-way star Shohei Ohtani has continued to progress in his recovery from Tommy John surgery and threw a bullpen session at roughly 80 percent intensity at Fenway Park before Saturday’s game against the Red Sox.

Ohtani, who is rehabbing with an aim to pitch again in 2020 after undergoing the right elbow operation on Oct. 1, has yet to start throwing breaking pitches but threw his fastball at 82 mph. He threw 40 pitches with manager Brad Ausmus looking on.

“Before we get into the breaking balls, I need to hit my velo but I think I’m getting close," Ohtani said through interpreter Ippei Mizuhara. “I’m still so far away from game situations, I’m not fully satisfied. But so far to this point, it’s gone pretty well.”

Ausmus hadn’t watched a bullpen session of Ohtani’s since his first one on June 26, and noted that he’s continued to increase his intensity.

"He looked good," Ausmus said. "He looked easy, and free. He was good. No complaints so that’s good."

Ohtani, the reigning AL Rookie of the Year, will continue to throw bullpens and is expected to start mixing in his off-speed pitches soon. The plan is to get him to face hitters in a simulated game by the end of the season so that he can complete his rehab and have a normal offseason heading into Spring Training.

“He’ll just get to a point where he’s facing hitters,” general manager Billy Eppler said. “He’ll build up to where he’s at the 60-pitch mark, maybe the 70-pitch mark. At that point is when we’ll stop him.”

Barria optioned, Canning nearing return

The Angels optioned right-hander Jaime Barria on Saturday to make room for left-hander Andrew Heaney, who started against the Red Sox. Barria gave up five runs over five innings in Friday’s 16-4 loss to see his ERA jump to 6.62 in 51 2/3 innings this year.

“It’s not exclusively him but all of our pitchers need to work on some things,” Ausmus said. “We want him to use his changeup a little bit more vs. righties and continue to use all his pitches, and obviously execute the pitches in the areas where he’s trying to throw them.”

Heaney replaces Barria in the rotation with right-hander Griffin Canning tentatively scheduled to be reinstated from the injured list to start Wednesday against the Pirates. Canning, out with right elbow inflammation since Aug. 1, threw a bullpen session without any issues on Saturday.

"Hopefully we can slot him in," Ausmus said. "We still have to make sure he’s OK tomorrow."