Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani is unlikely to pitch in the upcoming All-Star Game after the team altered his throwing routine following a right biceps issue during a game on Friday, July 3, 2026, in Los Angeles.
The two-way player exited the game against the San Diego Padres in the seventh inning as a precautionary measure.
>>> Red Sox Beat Angels 5-2; Chapman Sets MLB Relief Strikeout Record
Before his departure, he threw a season-high 110 pitches over six innings, allowing three runs and seven hits while striking out nine batters.
Ohtani experienced discomfort during his sixth-inning at-bat before the Dodgers ultimately secured a 4-3 victory. His pitching ERA rose from 1.58 to 1.79 following the outing.
"It's the same location that I felt a couple months ago," said Ohtani through a translator.
The player noted that the previous discomfort resolved quickly and expressed confidence that this occurrence would follow a similar pattern.
"It went away pretty relatively quickly, so I expect that to happen again," said Ohtani through a translator.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed that Ohtani would sit out Saturday's game to focus on recovery and medical evaluation.
Roberts noted that the prior biceps issue had been minor.
"He's a quick healer and finds a way to get back," said Roberts.
The team had already pushed Ohtani's regular Wednesday pitching slot back to Friday to manage his physical workload during a grueling stretch of 13 games in 13 days.
"He feels good, the body feels good," said Roberts.
