Shohei Ohtani to miss All-Star Game over knee irritation

Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani will miss the 2026 MLB All-Star Game and his scheduled pitching start on Friday, July 10, due to continued irritation in his left knee, the team announced. The two-way superstar will, however, continue to serve as the team's designated hitter during the weekend series against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium.

Following the series, Ohtani will undergo what the Dodgers described as "interventions" on his knee to prepare him for the second half of the season, a process that will prevent his travel to Philadelphia for the All-Star Game. According to a source familiar with the situation, the medical procedures are expected to include draining the knee and likely administering a pain-relieving injection. The team's initial expectation is that Ohtani will be able to resume his full two-way duties, including pitching, after the All-Star break.

This is a recurrence of an issue that first surfaced a month ago. Ohtani experienced swelling in his left knee following a pitching start against the Pittsburgh Pirates on June 10, which he attributed to poor mechanics putting stress on his landing leg. He was removed early from a game as a hitter...