The baseball world was hit with a jolt on July 11, 2026, as the Los Angeles Dodgers announced that their two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani would not only skip his scheduled start on the mound but also withdraw from the upcoming MLB All-Star game due to persistent left knee pain. The news sent ripples through Dodger Stadium and across the league, as fans and analysts alike scrambled to assess the impact on both the Dodgers’ season and the All-Star festivities.
Ohtani, who has dazzled Major League Baseball with his rare ability to dominate as both a pitcher and a hitter, was slated to be the Dodgers’ starting pitcher against the Arizona Diamondbacks. However, just prior to the game, the club revealed that right-hander Kyle Hurt would take the mound in his place. Ohtani, undeterred by his injury, still took his spot in the lineup as the designated hitter and even led off, showing his resilience and commitment to the team.
Despite the setback, Ohtani wasted no time making his presence felt. In the bottom of the first inning, he sent the home crowd into a frenzy by launching his 21st home run of the season—a solo shot off Arizona’s Eduardo Rodriguez. That swing not only tied the game but also served as a reminder of Ohtani’s extraordinary talent. Even while nursing a troublesome knee, he continues to deliver jaw-dropping moments. He finished the night 1-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored, though the Dodgers ultimately fell to the Diamondbacks 2-9.
The decision to pull Ohtani from pitching duties and the All-Star game wasn’t made lightly. According to statements from the Dodgers and manager Dave Roberts, Ohtani had been battling left knee pain since at least June 12, 2026. The injury woes didn’t stop there. He’s also dealt with a right biceps injury and blisters on his right hand. Yet, in true Ohtani fashion, he continued to perform at an MVP level on both sides of the ball. “Ohtani will not participate in the All-Star game but expects recovery to allow pitching return later in the season, with exact timing unknown,” Roberts explained to reporters at Dodger Stadium. He added, “Currently, he could still pitch, but this is a proactive step to ensure he’s at his best come October.”
During the All-Star break, Ohtani will undergo a procedure to drain fluid from his left knee, a move aimed at accelerating his recovery and ensuring he’s ready for the second half of the season. The Dodgers are prioritizing his long-term health and postseason readiness, with hopes that he’ll rejoin the pitching rotation once he’s fully recuperated. “My goal is to return to the mound on a normal schedule,” Ohtani shared after the game. “I could have pitched today, but I didn’t want to push it. It’s important to recover during the break and get back into the rotation.”
Ohtani’s numbers this season are nothing short of spectacular. As a pitcher, he’s started 14 games, posting an 8-2 record with a minuscule 1.79 ERA and 95 strikeouts over 85 2/3 innings. That ERA is second-best among pitchers with at least 80 innings, trailing only Milwaukee’s Jacob Misiorowski (1.62). As a hitter, he’s played in 90 games, slugging .290 with 21 home runs, 57 RBIs, and an OPS of .943. He leads the league in home runs and runs scored, ranks second in RBIs, and sits third in on-base percentage. Those numbers put him firmly in the mix for yet another MVP award.
His dominance isn’t just a one-year wonder. Ohtani’s recent seasons have been a masterclass in overcoming adversity. In 2023, he was forced to stop pitching in August due to elbow pain but kept hitting, finishing with a .304 average, 44 home runs, and 95 RBIs, earning him the AL MVP. After undergoing surgery and joining the Dodgers in 2024, he played exclusively as a designated hitter and promptly won the NL MVP with a .310 average, 54 homers, and 130 RBIs. Last year, he returned to two-way play, capturing his third consecutive MVP award. This season, he’s been even more focused on pitching, and his numbers reflect that commitment.
Ohtani’s popularity is reflected in the All-Star voting, where he received a staggering 3,341,257 votes—the highest combined total in both leagues. He was set to make his sixth All-Star appearance as the National League’s starting designated hitter at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia on July 15. Unfortunately, his knee injury has dashed those plans, and fans will have to wait to see him back on the All-Star stage.
The Dodgers, meanwhile, have adjusted on the fly. Kyle Hurt, making his first start since April 2024, took the mound against Arizona. The bullpen struggled, and the Diamondbacks capitalized, scoring multiple runs in the middle innings to put the game out of reach. Despite the loss, the Dodgers maintain a 61-34 record, still leading Major League Baseball with a .642 winning percentage. However, they now trail the Diamondbacks by 13.5 games in the NL West, a gap that could become more significant if Ohtani’s absence is prolonged.
It’s not the first time Ohtani has had to adapt his game due to injury, and history suggests he’ll come back stronger. In 2023 and 2024, he thrived as a hitter while recovering from arm injuries, and his transition to the Dodgers was seamless. The organization is banking on his resilience and the hope that a well-timed break and medical intervention will ensure he’s ready for the postseason push.
As the All-Star break approaches and Ohtani embarks on his recovery, the baseball world watches with bated breath. Will the Dodgers’ superstar return to the mound and continue his historic two-way dominance? For now, fans must be content with his bat—and the promise that, once healthy, Shohei Ohtani will be back to electrify the game in ways only he can.