Shohei Ohtani to miss All-Star Game after knee irritation forces pitching start withdrawal
Los Angeles Dodgers announced that Shohei Ohtani will not pitch on Friday or attend the All-Star Game due to ongoing irritation in his left knee, though he will remain as designated hitter for the weekend series.
Shohei Ohtani was removed from his scheduled start on Friday after the Los Angeles Dodgers said irritation in his left knee persisted, a decision announced about six hours before the game. The team said Ohtani will still bat as the designated hitter in the weekend series against the Arizona Diamondbacks but will not travel to the All-Star Game.
"He will have some interventions on his knee to put him in the best position for the second half of the season," the Dodgers said in a statement.
A source familiar with the situation told ESPN that Ohtani is expected to have the knee fluid drained and receive an injection, but surgery is not planned. The player previously left a June 11 game against the Pittsburgh Pirates early because of the same knee, which had undergone surgery in 2019 for a congenital condition known as bipartite patella.
Ohtani, who recently celebrated his 32nd birthday, has also dealt with a blister on his pitching hand and right-bicep tightness, though those issues have improved. He currently posts a .290/.405/.534 slash line with 20 home runs, six stolen bases, and an 8-2 record with a 1.79 ERA in 14 starts heading into the All-Star break. In his absence, the Dodgers will employ a bullpen game on Friday.