The brightest constellations in world baseball will gather tonight at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia for the 96th MLB All-Star Game, but the Major League Baseball sky will shine with one fewer star. The $700 million man, Shohei Ohtani, has withdrawn from the midseason showcase due to a persistent and bothersome irritation in his left knee.
The absence of the Los Angeles Dodgers superstar is a major blow to the event. Dave Roberts, his manager in Los Angeles, will lead the National League dugout, while the Dodgers arrive at the All-Star Game as the reigning World Series champions. However, even superheroes are not immune to physical wear and tear. The Los Angeles franchise has made the sensible decision to protect and prioritize the health of its franchise player heading into the second half of the season.
Left knee says “enough”: The reason behind his absence
The medical issue keeping the Japanese superstar away from the Philadelphia event is a constant irritation in his left knee, a problem that had already forced him to miss his most recent scheduled start on the mound.
Although Roberts had hinted months ago that Ohtani would not pitch in the All-Star Game, the disappointing news was confirmed when it became clear that he would not even travel to participate as a designated hitter.
“Unfortunately, due to these setbacks, he will not be able to travel to Philadelphia or participate in the 2026 MLB All-Star Game,” the Dodgers organization officially announced.
The plan for the Japanese star is clear: after the series against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Ohtani will use the break to undergo extensive treatment on his knee. The priority is for him to be at 100% for the highly anticipated return of the regular season, when the Dodgers will face none other than the New York Yankees.
His absence ends a perfect streak of six consecutive All-Star selections for the Japanese superstar, who was putting together another MVP-caliber campaign before the break: a .293 batting average, 22 home runs, 58 RBIs, and a 161 OPS+.
The Dodgers’ army in Philadelphia
Despite the massive void left by the absence of No. 17, the Chavez Ravine franchise continues to boast a strong presence in this Midsummer Classic. The Dodgers are tied with the host Philadelphia Phillies as the teams with the most representatives in the event, sending a total of six selected players:
Confirmed starters: Max Muncy, Freddie Freeman, Andy Pages, and the absent Shohei Ohtani.
Reserve pitchers: Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Justin Wrobleski.
“It’s the first time in a long time that we’ve had four position players starting the All-Star Game, so that’s something great for our organization,” a proud Dave Roberts said.
With this milestone, the Los Angeles Dodgers secure their seventh consecutive year sending five or more players to the All-Star Game, further cementing a dynasty that continues to rule Major League Baseball with an iron fist.
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