Tommy John surgery is a procedure to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) inside the elbow by replacing it with a tendon from elsewhere in the patient's body. Shohei Ohtani, the Los Angeles Dodgers superstar, underwent this surgery in September 2023. He is now preparing to return to pitching after a layoff. - Shohei Ohtani will throw his first bullpen session this weekend, marking a significant step in his recovery. - Ohtani hasn't pitched in a Major League Baseball game since August 23, 2023, when he was with the Los Angeles Angels. - He underwent Tommy John surgery in September 2023, which sidelined him from pitching during his first season with the Dodgers. - Ohtani continued to play as a hitter for the Dodgers during his recovery.