​Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has placed clear restrictions on Shohei Ohtani ahead of the All-Star break, even as the superstar prepares to feature in the All-Star Game as the National League’s top vote-getter. Ohtani will not pitch in the midsummer showcase, and Roberts has also ruled out his participation in the Home Run Derby. “Don’t see him in the Home Run Derby,” Roberts said. “Don’t see him pitching. But I do see him taking an at-bat or two.”
Ohtani has only pitched in one All-Star Game in 2021, the same year he competed in the Home Run Derby. His next start is slated for the Friday before the All-Star Game, which would not leave him enough time to recover ahead of All-Star activities. Roberts expressed a preference for Ohtani to rest for the entire break, but acknowledged that Ohtani’s immense popularity creates a balancing act between his well-being and his responsibilities to the game.
“I would love it,” Roberts commented when asked about giving Ohtani the full break. “But I do think when you’re Shohei, he understands the responsibility he has. So I do think there’s a middle ground for what’s best for him, what potentially could be a downside, but also what’s best for the game.”
Ohtani’s absence from the All-Star Game would feel inconceivable to many fans, given his status as MLB’s most popular and marketable player. His two-way greatness sets him apart in terms of load management, and his elite performance on both sides of the ball makes him extraordinarily valuable. This season, as a pitcher, Ohtani has posted a 1.79 ERA through 85.2 innings with 95 strikeouts. That ERA would rank second in MLB among qualified pitchers, trailing only the Milwaukee Brewers’ Jacob Misiorowski.
At the plate, Ohtani remains an offensive force in 2026. He has hit 20 home runs, driven in 56 runs, and carries a .950 OPS—the second-highest mark in the National League behind the recently qualified Juan Soto. His all-around contributions have kept him at the pinnacle of the sport and underscored why his presence is central to the Dodgers and the league alike.
Roberts’ decision to manage Ohtani’s workload ahead of the All-Star break reflects a broader strategic consideration: balancing rest with the demands of one of the game’s most influential ambassadors. For a franchise built around a two-way star, the question isn’t merely about maximizing performance in the next few games, but about sustaining a global brand and keeping a player of Ohtani’s stature in peak condition for the long haul.
Looking ahead, fans will have to adjust to a version of Ohtani who contributes without taking the mound during the All-Star festivities, yet remains a central figure in the Dodgers’ plans and in MLB’s overarching narrative. In the eyes of many, an All-Star Game without Ohtani would feel incomplete, underscoring just how pivotal his role has become in baseball’s modern era.
What are your thoughts on Roberts’ decision to prioritize rest for Ohtani while still leveraging his at-bats during the break? Do you agree with the approach of preserving Ohtani’s health and long-term value, or do you wish to see him participate more fully in the All-Star events?