​Shohei Ohtani, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ extraordinary two-way star who earned the most Phase 1 All-Star votes this season, will not participate in the 2026 MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday. The Dodgers confirmed that Ohtani will also miss his scheduled start against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday due to ongoing knee irritation. Instead, Ohtani will serve as the Dodgers’ designated hitter during their weekend series with the Diamondbacks.
In addition to not taking the mound, Ohtani is slated to undergo knee interventions to help him prepare for the second half of the season. The team stated that he will be the designated hitter for the remainder of the weekend following the Diamondbacks series, and after that, he will receive further treatments. According to Jack Harris of the California Post, the planned interventions include draining the knee and administering a pain-relieving injection.
Ohtani has been dealing with knee irritation since at least June 11, when he exited a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates with inflammation in his left knee. He had pitched the day before and reportedly irritated the knee during that start. He missed the game on June 12 and has managed the condition since then. The knee issue has affected his on-field availability at times, though he has continued to play close to every day for the Dodgers.
Photos from early July show Ohtani in action, including a moment from the July 7 game in Los Angeles where he celebrated reaching his 300th career home run against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium. While his knee condition has created some scheduling shifts, the organization has emphasized that Ohtani’s health remains the priority as he eyes a strong return after the All-Star break. It is unclear whether the knee problem is connected to a previous surgery Ohtani underwent in 2019 to address a congenital bipartite patella, but the team has not confirmed any direct link between the past surgery and his current irritation.
As the All-Star break concludes, the Dodgers anticipate Ohtani will resume his home duties as a key contributor in the lineup. He has continued to play almost every day despite the discomfort, and the Dodgers expect him to return to a daily role after the All-Star Game as he works through the knee treatment plan. The club has not announced a long-term setback, and this temporary pause appears targeted at enabling him to be ready for the second half of the season.
For fan and media coverage, the ongoing knee situation places Ohtani at the center of attention as he navigates rest, treatment, and the possibility of reduced mound availability, all while continuing to contribute as a hitter. The Dodgers’ decision to place him in the designated hitter role during the upcoming series underscores the team’s effort to balance his health with their competitive ambitions as they head toward the second half of the 2026 season. This story continues to develop as more information about his treatments and timetable for a full mound return becomes available. The initial report originated from the Dodgers’ official communications and subsequent reporting from LA sports outlets.