Is Shohei Ohtani playing in MLB All-Star Game tonight? Latest on Dodgers star
Article excerpt
Shohei Ohtani received the most fan votes for the 2026 MLB All-Star Game but won't be in Philadelphia for the annual contest. Here's why.
From the moment he broke out with the Los Angeles Angels, Shohei Ohtani has been Major League Baseball's biggest star. There's no other way to describe it.
Now with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the dual threat proved that by receiving the most fan votes for the 2026 MLB All-Star Game in Philadelphia on Tuesday, July 14, his third consecutive selection with the back-to-back World Series champions.
Despite that, Ohtani surprisingly will not partake in the Midsummer Classic, as he has remained in Los Angeles during the All-Star break for treatment. The Dodgers announced the decision for the four-time MVP on Friday, July 10, though he finished the first half with the squad against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Ohtani was scheduled to be the National League’s starting designated hitter, which will now go to Philadelphia Phillies DH Kyle Schwarber, who leads the majors in home runs.
The NL is going for its second consecutive All-Star Game victory after it defeated the American League in an electric swing-off in Atlanta last season, which Schwarber won by going 3-for-3 with his swings. First pitch is set for 8 p.m. ET at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.
Here's what to know:
DODGERS: Will visit President Trump at White House to celebrate World Series win
Is Shoehi Ohtani in the MLB All-Star Game tonight?
No, despite being named to a sixth All-Star team, Ohtani will not be in Philadelphia on Tuesday.
Why is Shoehi Ohtani not playing in the MLB All-Star Game tonight?
Ohtani's absence from the Midsummer Classic is strictly because of an ongoing injury.
Before the first game of their series against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday, July 10, the Dodgers announced that Ohtani would not travel to the All-Star Game and instead stay in Los Angeles as he continues to deal with irritation in his left knee.
"Shohei Ohtani will not make his scheduled start on the mound this evening against the D-backs due to continued irritation in his left knee," the Dodgers statement read. "He will serve as the designated hitter the rest of the weekend, but following the series against the D-Backs he will have some interventions on his knee to put him in the best position for the second half of the season.
"Unfortunately, due to these events, he will not be able to travel to Philadelphia and participate in the 2026 All-Star Game."
The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news, fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Is Shohei Ohtani playing in MLB All-Star Game tonight? Latest on Dodgers star