Shohei Ohtani scratched from start, won't play in All-Star Game

Key Points:

• Shohei Ohtani will not pitch for the remainder of the unofficial first half of the MLB season due to irritation in his left knee, but he will continue serving as designated hitter through the weekend series.
• Ohtani is scheduled to have his left knee drained and likely receive an injection after Sunday’s game to address the ongoing knee issue, which is not believed to be related to his previous bipartite patella condition.
• Dodgers manager Dave Roberts emphasized that Ohtani’s health is the priority, aiming for him to be fully ready for October, and expects no missed time after the All-Star break, with Ohtani penciled in as DH against the Yankees on July 17.
• Ohtani’s decision to skip his scheduled start was influenced by the Dodgers’ ability to use a bullpen game after an off day, though Ohtani acknowledged the extra pressure this places on the bullpen.
• Despite missing pitching starts, Ohtani remains a top performer with a .943 OPS and 1.79 ERA, and he was selected for his sixth consecutive All-Star Game, though he will not participate due to his knee treatment and recovery needs.