Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani is making significant strides toward his long-awaited return to the mound.

Ohtani faced live hitters for the third time earlier this week at Petco Park during the team’s series against the San Diego Padres. Each live batting practice has featured an increase of volume for Ohtani as he builds up to join a depleted Dodgers rotation.

Dodgers pitching coach Mark Prior revealed the team has continued to debate just how much buildup Ohtani will need before he is ready to take the mound.

“You start getting close to 44, you start getting into the 60- and 70-pitch range, then you can start envisioning and dreaming about being in a game,” Prior said, via The Orange County Register’s Bill Plunkett. “Because then you know that he has the volume under him to go out there and at least take down multiple innings in a real game.”

And, it appears Ohtani may pitch two or three innings initially and have another pitcher lined up behind him to serve as a piggyback starter. Manager Dave Roberts added that any amount of innings Ohtani can contribute per start would be helpful for a pitching staff that currently has 14 pitchers on the injured list.

“It certainly doesn’t have to be a full buildup,” Roberts said, “because anything that he can give us is certainly additive.”

Despite the myriad injuries, the team has made it clear the return of Ohtani does not coincide with the health, or lack thereof, of the pitching staff. Ohtani is expected to make his pitching debut with the Dodgers in late July or early August.

Nevertheless, the excitement surrounding Ohtani’s return is palpable as the two-way star’s debut approaches.