Shohei Ohtani All-Star Game technicality will have Brewers, Phillies fans revolting

Shohei Ohtani already made history with his recent All-Star selection, breaking David Ortiz's record of five starting All-Star nods as a designated hitter. This year's game will mark the Los Angeles Dodgers' phenom's sixth consecutive Midsummer Classic appearance.

Of course, Ohtani is more than just one of the game's premier sluggers. He's also an ace-caliber starting pitcher, hence his global popularity and reigning status as the leading vote-getter in the fan voting part of the All-Star process.

His 1.58 ERA through 13 starts (79 2/3 innings) is simply sterling, putting him right back among the league's elite arms. He's gotten to this point by trading in some of his strikeout prowess for more ground balls and less demanding contact, but he remains an impending presence on the mound all the same.

Naturally, that makes him worthy of pitching at the All-Star Game as well, though the success of some of the National League's other great pitchers — namely Cristopher Sánchez and Jacob Misiorowski — probably rules him out of the opener conversation.

Or, at least it would if Ohtani's case weren't so unique, as laid out by manager Dave Roberts.

Ohtani accomplished this feat already when he served as the American League's starting pitcher and leadoff hitter in 2021. He hasn't pitched during the event since, though there are complications standing in the way of him ending that drought in 2026.

Dodgers' pitching schedule update could prevent Shohei Ohtani from starting All-Star Game

If there is a saving grace for Misiorowski and Sánchez, it's that Ohtani may not actually be able to get into the game as a pitcher at all. The Dodgers adjusted their pre-break rotation schedule, which will now put the two-way sensation in line to pitch during the team's final first-half series against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

It's simply a non-starter for Ohtani to pitch on short rest in an exhibition contest, as cool as it would be for him to start the All-Star Game for both leagues. The opportunity should arise again in the future, but keeping him healthy and on his usual rest schedule is far more important for Roberts and the Dodgers than a fun (but ultimately meaningless) milestone.

Of course, further adjustments to the pitching order could put Ohtani right back in line to throw during the Midsummer Classic. For now, it seems like he'll cede the job to one of Sánchez or Misiorowski, both of whom are wildly deserving of the honor.

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