Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani plays catch as he continues his comeback from elbow surgery

CHICAGO (AP) — Los Angeles Dodgers slugger Shohei Ohtani played catch on Tuesday in a continuation of his throwing program in his comeback from elbow surgery.

Ohtani rejoined the Dodgers on Sunday after his wife, Mamiko Tanaka, gave birth to the couple's first child in Southern California. The two-way star is 0 for 7 with two walks and two runs scored in his last two games.

Following an off day, the 30-year-old Ohtani threw in the outfield at Wrigley Field before an 11-10 loss to the Chicago Cubs in the opener of a two-game set. He is expected to have a light bullpen session on Wednesday and a “full-blown bullpen” on Saturday, manager Dave Roberts said.

“I still don't know what the next step is,” Roberts said, “and I think once he starts facing hitters, then it'll start to become more pronounced. But right now he's still in the mode of just throwing bullpens, and he still hasn't thrown sliders yet either.”

Ohtani hasn't pitched in a major league game since Aug. 23, 2023, for the Los Angeles Angels. He is recovering from right elbow surgery on Sept. 19, 2023. He paused his pitching work after a mound session on Feb. 25 to prepare for opening day as a hitter.

The reigning NL MVP, who signed a $700 million, 10-year contract with the Dodgers in December 2023, is batting .264 with six homers and eight RBIs in 22 games this season.

Left-hander Blake Snell also played catch on Tuesday, and Roberts said it went well. Snell is on the 15-day injured list because of shoulder inflammation.

Tyler Glasnow remains on track to start Sunday at home against Pittsburgh. The 31-year-old right-hander left Sunday's win against the Rangers because of lower leg cramps.

“I haven't seen Glas, but from the training staff, they said that there is no more cramping,” Roberts said before the loss to the Cubs. “As we traveled here to Chicago he was fine.”

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Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) stands in the dugout during the first inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Tuesday, April 22, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) reacts after striking out during the first inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Tuesday, April 22, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17), left, and Mookie Betts (50) celebrate after scoring on a double from Freddie Freeman during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Tuesday, April 22, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) strikes out during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Tuesday, April 22, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) reacts to striking out during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Tuesday, April 22, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) sits in the dugout during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Tuesday, April 22, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani (17) returns to the dugout before a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Tuesday, April 22, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani (17) warms before a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Tuesday, April 22, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani (17) warms before a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Tuesday, April 22, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani (17) warms before a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Tuesday, April 22, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani (17) warms before a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Tuesday, April 22, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani (17) warms before a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Tuesday, April 22, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani (17) warms before a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Tuesday, April 22, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani (17) warms before a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Tuesday, April 22, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

U.S. President Donald Trump says Iran has proposed negotiations after his threat to strike the Islamic Republic as an ongoing crackdown on demonstrators has led to hundreds of deaths.

Trump said late Sunday that his administration was in talks to set up a meeting with Tehran, but cautioned that he may have to act first as reports mount of increasing deaths and the government continues to arrest protesters.

“The meeting is being set up, but we may have to act because of what’s happening before the meeting. But a meeting is being set up. Iran called, they want to negotiate,” Trump told reporters on Air Force One on Sunday night.

Iran did not acknowledge Trump’s comments immediately. It has previously warned the U.S. military and Israel would be “legitimate targets” if America uses force to protect demonstrators.

The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, which has accurately reported on past unrest in Iran, gave the death toll. It relies on supporters in Iran cross checking information. It said at least 544 people have been killed so far, including 496 protesters and 48 people from the security forces. It said more than 10,600 people also have been detained over the two weeks of protests.

With the internet down in Iran and phone lines cut off, gauging the demonstrations from abroad has grown more difficult. Iran’s government has not offered overall casualty figures.

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China says it opposes the use of force in international relations and expressed hope the Iranian government and people are “able to overcome the current difficulties and maintain national stability.”

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Monday that Beijing “always opposes interference in other countries’ internal affairs, maintains that the sovereignty and security of all countries should be fully protected under international law, and opposes the use or threat of use of force in international relations.”

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz condemned “in the strongest terms the violence that the leadership in Iran is directing against its own people.”

He said it was a sign of weakness rather than strength, adding that “this violence must end.”

Merz said during a visit to India that the demonstrators deserve “the greatest respect” for the courage with which “they are resisting the disproportional, brutal violence of Iranian security forces.”

He said: “I call on the Iranian leadership to protect its population rather than threatening it.”

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman on Monday suggested that a channel remained open with the United States.

Esmail Baghaei made the comment during a news conference in Tehran.

“It is open and whenever needed, through that channel, the necessary messages are exchanged,” he said.

However, Baghaei said such talks needed to be “based on the acceptance of mutual interests and concerns, not a negotiation that is one-sided, unilateral and based on dictation.”

The semiofficial Fars news agency in Iran, which is close to the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, on Monday began calling out Iranian celebrities and leaders on social media who have expressed support for the protests over the past two weeks, especially before the internet was shut down.

The threat comes as writers and other cultural leaders were targeted even before protests. The news agency highlighted specific celebrities who posted in solidarity with the protesters and scolded them for not condemning vandalism and destruction to public property or the deaths of security forces killed during clashes. The news agency accused those celebrities and leaders of inciting riots by expressing their support.

Canada said it “stands with the brave people of Iran” in a statement on social media that strongly condemned the killing of protesters during widespread protests that have rocked the country over the past two weeks.

“The Iranian regime must halt its horrific repression and intimidation and respect the human rights of its citizens,” Canada’s government said on Monday.

Iran’s foreign minister claimed Monday that “the situation has come under total control” after a bloody crackdown on nationwide protests in the country.

Abbas Araghchi offered no evidence for his claim.

Araghchi spoke to foreign diplomats in Tehran. The Qatar-funded Al Jazeera satellite news network, which has been allowed to work despite the internet being cut off in the country, carried his remarks.

Iran’s foreign minister alleged Monday that nationwide protests in his nation “turned violent and bloody to give an excuse” for U.S. President Donald Trump to intervene.

Abbas Araghchi offered no evidence for his claim, which comes after over 500 have been reported killed by activists -- the vast majority coming from demonstrators.

Araghchi spoke to foreign diplomats in Tehran. The Qatar-funded Al Jazeera satellite news network, which has been allowed to work despite the internet being cut off in the country, carried his remarks.

Iran has summoned the British ambassador over protesters twice taking down the Iranian flag at their embassy in London.

Iranian state television also said Monday that it complained about “certain terrorist organization that, under the guise of media, spread lies and promote violence and terrorism.” The United Kingdom is home to offices of the BBC’s Persian service and Iran International, both which long have been targeted by Iran.

A huge crowd of demonstrators, some waving the flag of Iran, gathered Sunday afternoon along Veteran Avenue in LA’s Westwood neighborhood to protest against the Iranian government. Police eventually issued a dispersal order, and by early evening only about a hundred protesters were still in the area, ABC7 reported.

Los Angeles is home to the largest Iranian community outside of Iran.

Los Angeles police responded Sunday after somebody drove a U-Haul box truck down a street crowded with the the demonstrators, causing protesters to scramble out of the way and then run after the speeding vehicle to try to attack the driver. A police statement said one person was hit by the truck but nobody was seriously hurt.

The driver, a man who was not identified, was detained “pending further investigation,” police said in a statement Sunday evening.

Protesters burn the Iranian national flag during a rally in support of the nationwide mass demonstrations in Iran against the government in Paris, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)