Full Breakdown
Shohei Ohtani Misses Pitching Start and All-Star Game Because of Left-Knee Irritation
7/11/2026, 12:54:41 AM
Core Event
The Los Angeles Dodgers announced on Friday, July 10, 2026 that two-way star Shohei Ohtani will not pitch in the scheduled Friday night start against the Arizona Diamondbacks and will miss the 2026 MLB All-Star Game in Philadelphia. The team cited “continued irritation in his left knee” as the reason for the decision. Ohtani will remain in the lineup as the Dodgers’ designated hitter for the remainder of the weekend series before undergoing “interventions” on his knee during the All-Star break.
Background & Context
Ohtani first experienced left-knee inflammation on June 11, 2026 during a start versus the Pittsburgh Pirates, prompting an early exit. The same knee was the site of surgery in September 2019 to treat a congenital bipartite patella. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has said he does not believe the current issue is related to that prior surgery. MLB.com notes that Ohtani himself has linked the problem to a change in his pitching mechanics.
Data & Statistics
- Batting line: .290/.405/.534, 20 home runs, 56 RBIs, 6 stolen bases in 395 plate appearances.
- Pitching line: 8-2 record, 1.79 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 95 strikeouts, 26 walks over 85.2 innings (14 starts).
- Dodgers’ team record: 61-33 overall, 31-16 at home, MLB-best run differential +164, and third-best team ERA 3.48.
Why It Matters
Ohtani entered the All-Star break as the National League’s leading vote-getter and the designated hitter starter for a sixth consecutive season. His dual-role contributions have been central to the Dodgers’ 14½-game NL West lead and their status as the favorite for a third straight World Series title. Missing his next start and the midsummer showcase reduces the team’s pitching depth for the weekend and raises questions about his availability for the postseason rotation.
Official Statements & Responses
The Dodgers released a statement confirming the decision and outlining the planned “interventions” after the Diamondbacks series. Manager Dave Roberts emphasized a cautious approach, noting Ohtani’s own report of a “little something behind his knee” and the team’s desire to avoid risk. The organization also indicated that a bullpen game would replace Ohtani’s scheduled start on Friday.
Criticism & Opposition
No dissenting commentary from league officials, opposing teams, or player representatives appears in the available reports. The consensus among the cited outlets is that the Dodgers are acting prudently given Ohtani’s value and the team’s comfortable lead.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
All sources agree on the nature of the knee irritation and the resulting missed appearances. No contradictory figures or timelines were identified, though details of the “interventions” (e.g., specific procedures or recovery timeline) remain unspecified.
Verbatim Quotes
- “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,” — Los Angeles Dodgers
- “We tried to be smart about it and get him out of the game,” — Dave Roberts, Dodgers manager
- “He told the trainer that he felt a little something behind his knee, and I just didn't see any sense in risking it.” — Dave Roberts, Dodgers manager
- “com notes, Ohtani himself has attributed the knee problem to an issue with his pitching mechanics.” — MLB.com
What’s Next
The Dodgers plan to perform the unspecified “interventions” on Ohtani’s knee during the All-Star break, after which he is expected to return to the lineup as a designated hitter and potentially resume pitching later in the second half of the season. No further schedule changes have been announced.
