Baseball’s biggest showdown is taking place Tuesday night in Philadelphia, but the player voted No. 1 by fans won’t be in the lineup.
Shohei Ohtani was selected as the National League’s starting designated hitter for the 2026 MLB All-Star Game after finishing ahead of all Major League players with 3,341,257 votes in Round 1. mlb. But the Dodgers superstar will miss the game due to persistent irritation in his left knee.
Ohtani will have fluid drained from his knee on Sunday, forcing the four-time MVP out of the Midsummer Classic. The Associated Press reported.
Shohei Ohtani’s absence changed the All-Star Game
Ohtani’s return removes baseball’s most recognizable player from a showcase loaded with star power.
The host Phillies lead MLB with six All-Star selections: Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, Brandon Marsh, Jhoan Duran, Christopher Sanchez, and Jesús Luzardo, according to mlb. The Dodgers and Braves each have five selections.
Ohtani still earned his sixth consecutive All-Star selection, according to MLB. His absence also reflects the physical cost of his rare two-way workload. The AP reports that Ohtani has been dealing with left knee inflammation for at least a month, though he continued to hit and even launched a 381-foot leadoff homer on Friday after the Dodgers overruled his scheduled pitching start.
Baseball’s best athletes take over Philadelphia
The 96th MLB All-Star Game begins on Tuesday, July 14 at 8 PM ET on FOX at Citizens Bank Park. According to MLB’s official All-Star schedule.
For fitness-minded fans, the allure goes beyond home runs and 100-mph fastballs. Baseball’s best players rely on power, reaction speed, mobility and the ability to perform over the course of a 162-game season.
This is what makes Ohtani a generational talent. Few players in modern baseball have been able to dominate as both a hitter and pitcher. He may be missing games, but the athletic standard he represents will be everywhere on the field.
How to watch the 2026 MLB All-Star Game
According to MLB, the 2026 MLB All-Star Game will begin on Tuesday, July 14 at 8 p.m. ET at Citizens Bank Park, with Fox coverage beginning at 7 p.m. ET. The game will air live on FOX.
That said, cord-cutters can stream the game live and on demand on Fox One fox sports. FOX is also available through live-TV streaming services including YouTube TV, DirecTV, Fubo, and Hulu + Live TV.
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