​Shohei Ohtani’s standout season for the Los Angeles Dodgers has hit a pause: he will not be part of the 2026 MLB All-Star Game in Philadelphia. The Dodgers announced that the two-way star is dealing with irritation in his left knee, forcing him to withdraw from the All-Star festivities and skip his scheduled start on Friday night. Despite this, Ohtani will remain in the lineup as the Dodgers’ designated hitter through the weekend.
Ohtani has been remarkably durable over the past six seasons, appearing in at least 155 games in four of the last five campaigns. His absence from the mound this week marks a notable departure from his usual routine, especially after earning the National League starting designated hitter honors and garnering the most votes of any player in Major League Baseball for the 2026 All-Star selections. He has now made six straight All-Star appearances, having contributed both as a hitter and, previously, as a pitcher, though this time his health will prevent him from taking the mound in Philadelphia.
The timeline of Ohtani’s knee issue began on June 11, when he exited a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates with left knee soreness. Since then, he has been managing the injury, with the knee having required attention dating back to a bipartite patella surgery in September 2019. While the injury is not deemed serious enough to sideline him from hitting, it will prevent him from serving as the Dodgers’ starting pitcher this Friday. The team indicated that Ohtani will receive targeted interventions on his knee during the All-Star break to help him rebound for the second half of the season.
Despite not taking the mound in Philadelphia, Ohtani is still expected to participate in the All-Star break activities as a hitter. He will continue to operate as designated hitter for the Dodgers through the weekend while the team uses the break to rest and re-evaluate his condition ahead of the second half. The Dodgers will reconvene after the break to begin the second portion of their schedule, opening the post-break slate on the road against the New York Yankees next Friday.
As fans and analysts weigh the impact of Ohtani’s absence from the mound, it’s clear that the Dodgers will rely on him at the plate as they navigate the All-Star break and prepare for a strong push into the latter half of the season. The decision to rest Ohtani and refrain from pushing him into a Friday night start reflects a careful approach to his health, aiming to balance immediate needs with long-term performance for a season that remains full of potential for both Ohtani and Los Angeles. The team has not indicated any plans to place him on the injured list, signaling confidence in his ability to return to action soon after the All-Star break.
For supporters and followers seeking more context on the broader All-Star landscape, the league is celebrating the 250th milestone of America’s birthday in Philadelphia, highlighting a week of festivities across baseball. While two of the game’s biggest stars, Ohtani and Aaron Judge, will not participate in the All-Star activities this year due to injuries and health considerations, the event remains a showcase for many other top talents from around the league. In the coming days, updates are expected regarding Ohtani’s progress and any adjustments to his postseason-ready timetable, as the Dodgers aim to maximize performance in the second half of the season.