The Los Angeles Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani is set to undergo a procedure to drain fluid from his left knee, which will force him to miss the upcoming All-Star Game in Philadelphia. This decision comes after Ohtani led off with a 381-foot home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday, July 10, 2026, in a game where he was initially scheduled to pitch but instead played as the designated hitter.
The Dodgers opted for a bullpen game to avoid further aggravating Ohtani’s knee discomfort, which has been an issue for at least a month. The right-hander had an outing cut short against the Pittsburgh Pirates on June 11 due to inflammation in the same knee. Despite the setback, Ohtani remains one of the best players in the major leagues this season, excelling both at the plate and on the mound.
Ohtani’s Impact on the Dodgers and All-Star Game
Ohtani’s absence from the All-Star Game will be a significant loss for baseball’s midsummer showcase. The Japanese star, who turned 32 earlier this week, is among the game’s most popular players and led MLB in jersey sales last year. He hit his 300th career home run on Tuesday night, becoming the first Japanese-born player in the majors to reach this milestone.
The Dodgers, the two-time defending World Series champions, have baseball’s best record at 61-34. Ohtani’s willingness to miss the All-Star Game underscores his commitment to being healthy for the postseason, especially as the team aims to pull off the major leagues’ first three-peat since the 1998-2000 New York Yankees. This season marks the first time since 2026 that Ohtani has been a full-time two-way player, adjusting to the demands of both hitting and pitching regularly.
Health and Performance Considerations
Manager Dave Roberts emphasized the importance of Ohtani’s health for the postseason. ‘Nothing is going to fall in front of being healthy for October,’ Roberts stated. The procedure is expected to relieve the ongoing irritation in Ohtani’s knee, allowing him to return to his regular pitching schedule. However, it is still uncertain where he will be slotted in the Dodgers’ six-man rotation following the All-Star break.
Ohtani’s performance this season has been impressive, with a .290 batting average21 home runs and 57 RBIs. On the mound, he boasts an 8-2 record and a 1.79 ERA with 95 strikeouts in 85 2/3 innings. However, his effectiveness as a pitcher has diminished somewhat in his past four starts, coinciding with the left knee irritation. Ohtani had given up only five runs in his first 10 starts but allowed 12 earned runs in 24 2/3 innings in the span corresponding with the knee issue.
The Road Ahead for Ohtani and the Dodgers
The Dodgers do not expect the procedure to affect Ohtani’s availability as a pitcher in the second half of the season. However, Roberts acknowledged that it is too early to determine Ohtani’s exact role in the rotation post-All-Star break. The team starts an East Coast road trip next Friday with a three-game set against the New York Yankees, followed by a series against the St. Louis Cardinals.
In Ohtani’s absence from the All-Star Game, Iván Herrera of the St. Louis Cardinals was named as a replacement to the National League All-Star team on Friday. This decision highlights the depth of talent in the league and the impact of Ohtani’s injury on the roster.
As the Dodgers continue their pursuit of a historic three-peat, Ohtani’s health and performance will be crucial. The team’s focus on managing his injury proactively demonstrates their commitment to long-term success and their belief in Ohtani’s ability to contribute significantly in the postseason.
