The Los Angeles Dodgers have baseball’s best record, and Shohei Ohtani is the biggest reason why. So when word dropped that he would skip this week’s All-Star Game in Philadelphia because of irritation in his left knee, fans understandably felt cheated. But Ken Rosenthal isn’t here for the blame game.
The veteran MLB insider for The Athletic made it clear on Foul Territory that Ohtani has earned the benefit of the doubt. Like, earned it with interest.
“I don’t know that we need to ask that of Shohei Ohtani. He gives plenty to the game, and it’s incredibly disappointing that he will not be here, but you can’t rip the guy for it. My goodness. He’s kind of feeling it right now, and he’s feeling it because he does more than any other player in the sport,” Rosenthal said.
And he’s right. Ohtani isn’t just playing through pain. He’s dominating. On the mound and at the plate, he’s putting up MVP numbers while the Dodgers have weathered injuries to key pitchers and still hold a massive lead in the standings. The guy is doing more than anyone else in the game. Missing one exhibition game hardly feels like an indictment of his commitment.
What Ohtani Is Actually Dealing With
Rosenthal also reported that Ohtani plans to get his knee drained over the All-Star break. That’s not nothing. The irritation has been nagging him for a while, but he’s stayed in the lineup as a hitter. He was in there during the Dodgers’ recent home loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks, too. The team hasn’t shut him down, and they’re not going to. They need him for October, not for a midseason showcase.
Dodgers fans get that. Philadelphia fans? They’ll get over it. They still get to host the game, and Citizens Bank Park will be loud regardless. But missing the chance to watch Ohtani do his thing in person stings. The All-Star Game is built around stars showing up, and he’s the brightest one in the sport right now.
Still, nobody is questioning his toughness. Ohtani has been playing through this for weeks without a peep. If anything, the revelation that he’s having his knee drained explains why he’s been a little less explosive lately. A little. He’s still hitting .300 with 30 homers and pitching to a sub-3.00 ERA. That’s not exactly mailing it in.
The All-Star Game is set for Tuesday night. Ohtani will be resting, getting treatment, and preparing for a second half where the Dodgers expect to make a serious run. And honestly? That’s the right call. The show will go on without him. But it won’t be the same.
Leave a Comment