Shohei Ohtani Withdraws From All-Star Game With Inflamed Knee as 300th Homer Milestone Fades
Updated
Updated · USA TODAY · Jul 10
Shohei Ohtani Withdraws From All-Star Game With Inflamed Knee as 300th Homer Milestone Fades
3 articles · Updated · USA TODAY · Jul 10
Summary
Shohei Ohtani was scratched Friday from the MLB All-Star Game and all related festivities after inflammation in his left knee also forced him out of his scheduled start against Arizona.
The Dodgers still expect Ohtani to serve as designated hitter this weekend, but his pitching outlook is unclear, clouding a Cy Young bid built on an 8-2 record, 1.79 ERA and 95 strikeouts.
The withdrawal removes one of the event’s biggest draws, leaving the game without both defending MVPs and top vote-getters after Yankees star Aaron Judge was also unavailable.
Kyle Schwarber, who leads baseball with 32 homers, is now set to start at DH for the National League, while MLB still hopes White Sox slugger Muneteka Murakami joins the Home Run Derby after returning from injury.