Why Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani is unlikely to pitch in MLB All-Star Game

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Why Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani is unlikely to pitch in MLB All-Star Game originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are going to be sending a strong group of representatives to the 2026 MLB All-Star Game, and before the fan voting is over, Shohei Ohtani has already earned a spot as the leading vote-getter in the National League.

He's the starting designated hitter, but what about the thing that makes Ohtani special, his ability to pitch? While he could end up pitching during the All-Star Game, it would likely only occur as the starter, and not as someone coming out of the bullpen.

As USA Today's Bob Nightengale highlighted, with Ohtani's start being pushed back to Friday, July 3, his next scheduled start would be the following weekend, effectively meaning he's not likely to pitch during the All-Star Game as it'd be on short rest.

Why Shohei Ohtani isn't likely to pitch during All-Star Game​

"Shohei Ohtani, with his start now being pushed back from today until Friday, no longer is a viable candidate to pitch in the All-Star Game," Nightengale shared. "He's scheduled to make his last first-half start next weekend, which would require him to pitch on short rest in the All-Star Game."

While Ohtani pitching during the All-Star Game would be a whole lot of fun, the chance looks very slim now with this update from Nightengale.

It's hard to imagine the Dodgers starter pitching on short rest when the Dodgers have tried hard to keep his innings limited to keep him fresh for a postseason run.

MORE: Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani might not be able to pitch during MLB All-Star Game

Ohtani could still pitch during the All-Star Game, but as of now, with his start being pushed back to Friday, meaning his start after that is pushed to the weekend before the All-Star Game, the chances of Ohtani pitching are slim.

While Ohtani has been great on the mound, Jacob Misiorowski, along with Philadelphia hometown options in Cristopher Sanchez and Zack Wheeler, has a case to start over Ohtani in the All-Star Game. But now, those debates might not matter.

This update from Nightengale makes the odds of Ohtani pitching during the 2026 All-Star Game look very slim. There's still a chance he could go, but for now, it's not looking likely at all for Ohtani.

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