​Shohei Ohtani’s status for the upcoming All-Star Game in Philadelphia had already been in question, and on Friday the situation became clearer. In a formal announcement, the Los Angeles Dodgers revealed that Ohtani would not start on the mound Friday night as originally scheduled and would not participate in the All-Star Game. The team attributed the decision to an ongoing irritation in his left knee, stating that he would serve as the designated hitter for the remainder of the weekend. After the series against the D-backs concludes, Ohtani is set to undergo knee interventions designed to position him for a strong second half of the season. As a result of these developments, he will not be traveling to Philadelphia to partake in the 2026 All-Star Game.
With Ohtani sidelined, MLB wasted no time in adjusting the National League roster to fill the vacancy. St. Louis Cardinals catcher/infielder Iván Herrera has been selected to replace Ohtani as the NL’s designated hitter for the All-Star Game. Herrera joins fellow Cardinals players Jordan Walker and closer Riley O’Brien as the only other representatives from St. Louis on the National League squad. Herrera’s inclusion marks an important milestone for his career and for the Cardinals, who will have a notable presence in the All-Star festivities through multiple players.
Herrera has appeared at the plate 334 times this season, delivering a .249 batting average on 83 hits. He has connected for 11 home runs and driven in 40 runs while scoring 59 himself. Herrera also sports a .395 slugging percentage and a .780 on-base-plus-slugging (OPS). The 26-year-old catcher made his major league debut in 2022 and has spent his entire professional career with the Cardinals. This upcoming All-Star selection represents Herrera’s first invitation to the midsummer showcase, marking a significant personal achievement and a historic moment for his club.
The Cardinals’ social media channels quickly amplified the news, celebrating Herrera’s new status. A representative post read: “All-Star Iván! Iván Herrera has been named to his first National League All-Star Team!” The announcement underscores not only Herrera’s individual progress but also the Cardinals’ ongoing impact on the NL’s All-Star representation this season.
From a broader perspective, the sequence of events underscores the practical approach MLB teams and the league take when a marquee player’s availability changes on short notice. Replacements are chosen to maintain competitive balance and to ensure the All-Star festivities proceed with a full roster. Iván Herrera’s ascension to the NL All-Star roster provides him with a platform to showcase his abilities on one of baseball’s biggest stages, while Ohtani’s absence leaves a gap for the Dodgers and the league to navigate as they prepare for the second half of the season.
Overall, the latest update confirms that plans for an All-Star appearance by Shohei Ohtani are on hold due to knee concerns, with Iván Herrera stepping into the designated hitter role for the National League in Philadelphia. The move highlights both Herrera’s emergence as a rising star within the Cardinals organization and the ongoing adjustments teams must make in response to injuries and dynamic rosters during the All-Star period.