Ohtani Out of All-Star Game Due to Injury
The familiar faces of baseball will be absent from Tuesday’s All-Star Game. The Los Angeles Dodgers have announced that Shohei Ohtani will miss the Midsummer Classic due to what the team describes as inflammation in his left knee. This injury means he won’t be able to start his game on Friday.
Ohtani has been a staple at the All-Star Game, earning this recognition for the past five seasons, including his first start back in 2021. His participation has become almost expected, given his remarkable talents.
As for his current stats, Ohtani is having a strong season. He holds a .290 batting average, a .939 OPS, and a 1.79 ERA, placing him among the top pitchers in the league with more than 80 innings pitched. Notably, his OPS ranks seventh overall.
The Dodgers indicated that Ohtani will continue to serve as the designated hitter during his off time, although he will need to undergo some knee interventions to ensure he’s set for the second half of the season. It’s worth mentioning that he has faced knee issues earlier in this season.
This news is particularly tough considering that Aaron Judge, another key player of the sport, has been out since late May with a broken rib.
In terms of his performance over the years, Ohtani hit a remarkable 99 home runs in both 2024 and 2025 and led the National League with a startling 1.025 OPS. Following elbow surgery, he didn’t pitch in 2024, but made a resurgence last season with a 2.87 ERA, leading the American League in strikeouts.
Often referred to as “Japan’s Babe Ruth,” he is unique in MLB history for achieving over 300 at-bats and more than 40 innings in six seasons. This is something Ruth only accomplished twice, and he never managed to steal 50 bases.
Although Ohtani might not be hitting at his usual level this season—he’s on track with 20 home runs and 56 RBIs—his notable pitching skills are clearly compensating for it. It’s a tough break for fans who look forward to seeing him shine on the grand stage of the All-Star Game.
