Shohei Ohtani threw his second bullpen session of spring training on Tuesday, continuing the process of his return to the mound for the Dodgers.

Ohtani had his first bullpen session on Saturday.

He hopes to pitch this season for the first time since Aug. 2023, with the Angels. Ohtani underwent elbow surgery that limited the 30-year-old right-hander to hitting only last season with the Dodgers. Even so, Ohtani won his third MVP award while becoming the first player to join the 50-50 club with 54 homers and 59 stolen bases as the Dodgers won the World Series.

Ohtani also is recovering from a partially torn labrum in his left shoulder that occurred while sliding into second base during the World Series.

As a pitcher, Ohtani is 38-19 with a 3.01 ERA in his five-year major-league career. In 2023 before the injury, he was 10-5 with 3.14 ERA.

Joe Buck will call his first nationally televised baseball game since 2021 on opening day. Buck will be in the booth for ESPN when the Yankees host the Brewers on March 27 at 3 p.m. Eastern. Buck was Fox Sports’ lead MLB announcer from 1996 through 2021 and called 24 World Series. He joined ESPN in 2022 to call “Monday Night Football.”

Hockey: Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy won’t be able to play for the U.S. against Canada in the championship game of the 4 Nations Face-Off on his home ice because of an undisclosed upper-body injury. Reigning Norris Trophy winner Quinn Hughes of the Canucks will replace him.

College basketball: Josh Hubbard scored 25 points, reserve Claudell Harris Jr. added 12 of his 15 points in the second half, and No. 21 Mississippi State beat No. 7 Texas A&M 70-54. The host Bulldogs began the second half with a 14-3 run en route to their first victory this season against a top 10 team.

NFL: QB Andy Dalton, 37, reached agreement to remain the Panthers backup on a two-year, $8 million deal with $6 million guaranteed and has a max value of $10 million.