Ohtani Sidelined from All-Star Game
Ohtani Misses All-Star Game with Knee Inflammation, Dodgers Alter Pitching Plans
Key Points
Ohtani was voted as the National League's starting designated hitter for the All-Star Game and received the most votes of any player in Major League Baseball.
With Jacob Misiorowski and Paul Skenes both slated to pitch on Sunday, neither will be available for the All-Star Game.
The Dodgers will stage a bullpen game on Friday in Ohtani's absence, as he sits as DH and is not set to pitch.
Friday will mark the first time Ohtani has missed a pitching start this season due to the knee irritation.
Aaron Judge, another marquee star, is also not participating in the All-Star Game due to being on the injured list, further affecting the event's star power.
Shohei Ohtani will miss the 2026 MLB All-Star Game and skip his next pitching start due to irritation in his left knee, the Los Angeles Dodgers announced. Yahoo Sports reported that Ohtani, who received more All-Star votes than any other player in baseball, will not travel to Philadelphia for the Midsummer Classic.
The Dodgers say this is a health precaution, not an injured list move. Ohtani will remain in the lineup as a designated hitter through the weekend series against Arizona. The team plans medical interventions during the All-Star Break to get him ready for the second half of the season.
Knee Irritation Forces Ohtani Off the Mound Friday
Friday marks the first time all season Ohtani has missed a pitching start because of the knee. Freedom 96.9 reported that the irritation in his left knee has not fully resolved, prompting the Dodgers to hold him back. He will serve as the DH instead of taking the ball against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
With Ohtani out of the rotation for the day, the Dodgers will run a bullpen game on Friday. That means a series of relief pitchers will take turns covering innings normally handled by one starter. It is a short-term fix, but it shows how much the team relies on Ohtani as a two-way player.
A History of Knee Trouble Behind This Injury
Ohtani's left knee has been a concern for weeks. He has a history with the same knee tied to a condition called bipartite patella, which dates back to 2019. A bipartite patella means the kneecap is formed from two separate bones instead of one, which can cause pain and irritation under stress.
The Dodgers said they want to use the All-Star Break to treat the knee and put him in the best position possible heading into the second half. Myrtle Beach Online noted that the team is focused on protecting his long-term health rather than pushing through short-term discomfort.
Ohtani's 2026 Numbers Still Among Baseball's Best
Despite the knee issue, Ohtani has put up strong numbers this season. He is hitting .290 with a .405 on-base percentage and a .534 slugging percentage. He has 20 home runs and 6 stolen bases. Those numbers rank him among the top hitters in the National League.
As a pitcher, Ohtani had been healthy enough to make every start until now. Keeping him in the DH role through the weekend limits the damage on his knee while still keeping his bat in the lineup. The Dodgers are balancing their need to win now with the need to keep him healthy for October.
All-Star Game Loses Two of Its Biggest Stars
Ohtani's absence is a major blow to the All-Star Game's star power. He was voted the NL's starting designated hitter and got the most votes of any player in all of baseball. Fans will now watch the Midsummer Classic without its top vote-getter on the field.
Ohtani is not the only marquee name missing. Aaron Judge, one of the biggest stars in the American League, is also out after landing on the injured list. Freedom 96.9 also noted that Jacob Misiorowski and Paul Skenes, both set to pitch Sunday, will be unavailable for the All-Star Game as well. The event is shaping up with far less top-end talent than expected.
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