Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Shohei Ohtani is unlikely to pitch in the MLB All-Star Game on July 14 in Philadelphia after his pitching schedule was adjusted this week.
The four-time MVP and two-way superstar has largely been starting on the mound every Wednesday this season. However, he was pushed back this week, starting Friday’s game against the San Diego Padres to get extra rest during a stretch of 13 games in as many days.
Supposing he stays on his week’s rest and pitches once more next Friday, he would be on three days’ rest for the All-Star Game and unlikely to be used.
“I haven’t formally said it, but if you just kind of do the math, it would be hard to imagine,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, who is set to manage the National League All-Star team, said Friday. “But I don’t have to make that decision quite yet.”
Although barely ineligible given his number of innings pitched, Ohtani, 31, entered Friday second in the majors in ERA (1.58) behind only Brewers fireballer Jacob Misiorowski (1.47), who is also set to be unavailable to pitch as he’s aligned to start two days prior.
That leaves Phillies ace Cristopher Sanchez (10-3, 2.00) as the NL’s likely starter in his home ballpark.
Even if Ohtani can’t pitch, he’ll have a chance to make an impact in the lineup. He received the most votes during the initial phase of fan voting and is set to be the NL’s starting designated hitter. He has a .291 batting average, 18 homers and 50 RBIs in 80 games at the plate.
