Shohei Ohtani threw his first bullpen session since a July knee injury on Friday, Aug. 28, at Comerica Park in Detroit.

The session lasted about 20 pitches. Whether it puts the Dodgers' two-way star back on the mound Sunday remains an open question.

"I really don't know what to make of it because I didn't put eyes on it," manager Dave Roberts told the Los Angeles Times. "Obviously I've got to talk to Shohei, talk to [pitching coach Mark Prior] and then we'll make a decision for Sunday."

Ohtani's between-start bullpen sessions typically run closer to 30 pitches. Roberts described Friday's count as "short" but said he had no set expectations for the pitch count. According to Yahoo Sports, Roberts said Ohtani made the call to end the session early.

Roberts said the final call on Sunday, Aug. 30, would come Saturday after the team evaluates how Ohtani feels. If he does pitch, it would likely be a single inning before right-hander Tyler Glasnow, who is scheduled to start on regular rest. Glasnow threw five innings and 89 pitches on Tuesday, Aug. 25, in his first start back from the injured list.

Ohtani has not pitched in a game since July 3 against the San Diego Padres. He has been managing swelling and discomfort in his left knee. On Aug. 22, he threw 30 pitches to catcher Will Smith in a live batting practice session, his first live BP since the injury. Roberts said after that session that Ohtani's knee issues were "behind us" and that adjustments to his pitching mechanics helped take pressure off the knee.

On Aug. 17, after homering twice against the Colorado Rockies, Ohtani described the deliberate approach to his recovery. "That's the reason why we've been pretty careful in the rehab process … and that's the ideal outcome, to make sure that I come back as soon as possible," he said.

Ohtani has stayed productive at the plate while sidelined from the mound. He is batting .285 with 30 home runs and 80 RBIs as a designated hitter. Before the injury, he posted an 8-2 record with a 1.79 ERA and 95 strikeouts in 85⅔ innings, according to ESPN.

The timing adds pressure. Roki Sasaki landed on the 15-day injured list on Thursday, Aug. 27, with a blister on the middle finger of his right hand. His absence makes Ohtani's return to the rotation more urgent. The Dodgers sat in second place in the National League entering the Detroit series, trailing the Milwaukee Brewers by two games as of Wednesday, Aug. 26.

Barring a setback, the schedule allows Ohtani to make five starts on at least five days' rest before the regular season ends. The Dodgers close their three-game series in Detroit on Sunday, Aug. 30.