LOS ANGELES — Shohei Ohtani could return to the mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers even sooner than expected.Ohtani threw a 30-pitch live session against Will Smith on Saturday, his first time facing hitters since his last big-league pitching appearance on July 3, as he’s dealt with nagging knee trouble. On Sunday, manager Dave Roberts left open the possibility that Saturday’s session could be the last box to check before Ohtani pitches for the Dodgers again.The Dodgers do not have a set starter for Sunday’s series finale against the Detroit Tigers. Ohtani starting that game and throwing one inning is an option the club is considering, according to multiple sources with knowledge of the club’s thinking who cannot comment publicly because those plans are not finalized. Previously, there had not been a timeline for Ohtani other than vague assurances he would be back this season.Ohtani’s status will depend on how he feels in the coming days and after his next bullpen session, slated for this week while the team is in Atlanta.“I think it’s more of how the pen goes,” Roberts said Sunday morning, acknowledging that Ohtani’s return could be near.The Dodgers have shifted Eric Lauer into a relief role for at least this next turn through the rotation. The left-hander said Sunday morning he could provide length as soon as Tuesday or Wednesday with Tyler Glasnow (making his first start since May) and Roki Sasaki as probable starters. If Ohtani does pitch, Lauer would be the logical piggyback option, Roberts acknowledged.How Dodgers' Max Muncy will earn $15,000 for every plate appearanceFabian Ardaya and Lauren Morales-JonesOhtani has battled left knee discomfort since June, and the Dodgers pushed pause on his pitching a month later. He missed the All-Star Game to receive a “lubricant” injection in that knee. Ohtani has had at least three incidents of right biceps discomfort, the last of which caused the Dodgers to slow down his pitching ramp-up.