DENVER –– Shohei Ohtani took the biggest swings of the Dodgers’ 11-5 win over the Colorado Rockies on Monday, keying the club’s resurgent offensive outburst with a season-high four hits and two home runs.

Then, after the game, the two-way star delivered the night’s biggest news, as well, revealing the next step in his long-awaited recovery as a pitcher.

On Tuesday, Ohtani is scheduled to throw another bullpen session; his second in the last week as he works his back from a knee injury that has prevented him from pitching since early July.

And come the playoffs, he sounded open to an adaptable role on the mound, explaining that while he imagines himself getting stretched back out for full-length starts, his pitching usage could depend on how the rest of the Dodgers’ rotation comes together, too.

“For now,” Ohtani said in Japanese, “I think the remaining month is a period in which the team and I will confirm to what degree I can throw.”

Speaking with reporters for the first time since he returned to the bullpen mound last Friday, Ohtani confirmed he bounced back well from that 35-pitch session –– avoiding the kind of regression that forced him to stop throwing on the field for several weeks last month.

“The other day was good,” he said. “If I feel good again tomorrow, I’d like to throw a bullpen.”

The slugger certainly seemed to be feeling good at the plate in the Dodgers’ series-opening win over the Rockies at Coors Field, going 4-for-5 with his pair of home runs and three RBIs to help the team snap out of its recent funk at the plate.

“That’s who we are. That’s what we’ve been searching for for quite some time,” manager Dave Roberts said of the performance, which was also highlighted by a three-run home run from Max Muncy in the third inning and a pair of doubles from Freddie Freeman (who snapped a career-long 18-game extra-base hit drought).

Of Ohtani specifically, Roberts described Monday’s performance as “really exceptional” while praising his pitch selection and ability to use the big part of the field. 

Ohtani hit his first home run 428 feet to left-center off Rockies starter Tomoyuki Sugano (his fourth career MLB home run in just 11 at-bats against his Team Japan teammate). He then hit a season-long blast of 452 feet to straightaway center in the seventh to break the game open, pushing the Dodgers to their highest-scoring performance since July 2.

“When he does that,” Roberts said of Ohtani’s power to left and center field, “there’s nobody better on the plate, so really good to see.”

Now, the Dodgers are hoping to see Ohtani take another step toward rejoining their pitching staff, too.

Though the 32-year-old acknowledged that neither his left knee nor right biceps (which has also plagued him during his absence from the mound) are still all the way back to 100%, he expressed optimism that he won’t endure any further setbacks in his pitching ramp-up.

“That’s why I’ve been proceeding cautiously,” Ohtani said. “I’d like to come back as in as short a time as possible.”

Once Ohtani does come back –– he will still to throw at least two live batting practice sessions in addition to his bullpen progression –– it remains somewhat unclear how the Dodgers will utilize him.

Initially, the right-hander will be built up inning by inning in game action, similar to when he returned from a second career Tommy John surgery last year. That means, in a best-case scenario, he’ll likely only be back to the 4-5 inning range by the time the playoffs start.

Because of that, it’s possible the Dodgers use Ohtani more as a multi-inning opener, for example, rather than a fully stretched-out member of their starting rotation.

That could be a particularly logical plan if the team’s top four other starters all get to October healthy.

To that end, the Dodgers continue to receive encouraging signs. Blake Snell looked sharp again in his second outing back from the injured list, giving up just one run in six innings in Monday’s win over the Rockies. Tyler Glasnow, meanwhile, could be ready to make his own return from the IL after one more minor-league rehab start.

That means, Ohtani could become something of a bonus arm in the team’s pitching plans.

On Monday, he seemed to recognize that reality, noting that “we have a lot of starters, and I think it’s a situation where you don’t know who will start [in the playoffs].”

“I think if I can pitch the way I can pitch,” he added, “that would be good.”

Thus, for now, he remains focused on his recovery, completing the final stages of his pitching ramp-up and maintaining his offensive form as the National League’s OPS leader.

“When you’re progressing well [as a pitcher], I think your mood improves and you’re able to step into the box with positive thoughts,” he said, later adding: “Today was just one game, so to be able to continue this is most important.”

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