​Earlier this week, Dave Roberts was uncertain whether Shohei Ohtani would pitch in this year’s All-Star Game. Since then, the Dodgers’ reshuffled pitching plans have essentially decided the outcome. Ohtani’s original Wednesday start against the Athletics was moved to Friday night against the Padres, making it unlikely he will take the mound in the Midsummer Classic, even if he is chosen for the National League pitching staff as expected.
“I haven’t formally said it, but if you just do the math, it would be hard to imagine,” Roberts said, who is also the NL manager this year thanks to the Dodgers’ pennant last season. “But I don’t have to make a decision quite yet.” After Friday’s start against the Padres, Ohtani’s final first-half appearance would come next Friday against the Diamondbacks, pushing him off schedule to be available for the All-Star Game in Philadelphia the following Tuesday.
Roberts previously noted that, while Ohtani has clinched the NL starting designated hitter slot via fan voting, it would have been difficult for him to also start the All-Star Game given the logistical challenges of warming up in the bullpen and hitting in the NL lineup. The NL has clear candidates for the opening nod, from Cy Young frontrunner Jacob Misiorowski to local ace Cristopher Sánchez. Even though Ohtani, who entered Friday with a 1.58 ERA—second only to Misiorowski among pitchers with 70 innings—could have merited the starting pitcher role based on his schedule, the current plan now favors him resting as a pitcher this week. As a result, his All-Star involvement is likely to be limited to designated-hitter duties only.