Shohei Ohtani’s Knee Flare-Up Forces All-Star Scratch. His Plan Is All About October.

The All-Star Game lost its biggest draw on Saturday. Shohei Ohtani was scratched from the 2026 midsummer classic because of left knee inflammation, and the Dodgers are taking no chances with their two-way superstar.

Ohtani missed his scheduled start against the Arizona Diamondbacks and won’t be on the mound at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday. But he made it clear this is about managing the long game, not panic.

“I could have started today, but it would have still been pushing the envelope a little bit,” Ohtani said through his translator, according to Katie Woo of The Athletic. “My every intention is to use the off days to ensure that I’m in a good place to be able to be in the rotation.”

Translation: This is strategic, not catastrophic. The four-time MVP says the discomfort is more noticeable when he pitches, likely stemming from how he plants his leg during his release. He’ll have the knee drained after Sunday’s series finale against the D-backs, then make some mechanical tweaks.

The Bigger Picture

Ohtani’s Cy Young chase might already be a long shot. He trails the NL’s innings leaders by a significant margin, and missing starts doesn’t help. But the Dodgers aren’t worried about individual awards. They’re defending a World Series title, and Ohtani’s arm is central to that plan.

So he sits now. He rests. He gets the knee cleaned out. And he works on his delivery so he can stay in the rotation through October.

The six-time All-Star is still swinging the bat, though. That’s the part that makes him so absurd. He hit a 381-foot leadoff home run in Friday’s 9-3 loss to Arizona, his third dinger in four games. Even at less than 100 percent, he’s a problem for opposing pitchers.

Ohtani’s absence from the All-Star Game will be felt. The event is stacked with talent — Juan Soto, Ronald Acuña Jr., Bryce Harper — but there’s no replacement for the guy who hits and pitches at an elite level. Fans wanted to see him launch one into the Philadelphia night. They’ll have to wait.

The Dodgers aren’t sweating it. They know what they have. And they’re betting a few days off now keeps Ohtani on the mound when it actually matters.