Shohei Ohtani (knee) out of All-Star Game, Friday pitching start

Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani pulled out of the upcoming All-Star Game on Friday due to continued issues with his left knee.

The Dodgers said Ohtani will "have some interventions on his knee" next week to get him ready for the second half of the season and will miss Tuesday's Midsummer Classic in Philadelphia.

The knee has plagued Ohtani in recent weeks. He also has experienced right bicep soreness and a right hand blister.

Los Angeles also scratched Ohtani from his scheduled Friday start against the Arizona Diamondbacks. He will serve as the designated hitter for the three-game weekend series against Arizona.

Ohtani, 32, is 8-2 with a 1.79 ERA in 14 starts this season. He is batting .290 with 20 homers and 56 RBIs in 85 games.

The four-time MVP was selected to the All-Star Game for the sixth straight season. He hit his 300th career homer earlier this week.

Ohtani played for the Los Angeles Angels from 2018-23 - winning American League MVP honors in 2021 and ‘23 - before leaving via free agency and signing with the Dodgers. He was National League MVP the past two seasons.

With Ohtani not available on the mound, the Dodgers will now start right-hander Kyle Hurt (3-1, 4.55 ERA) in a bullpen game. The 28-year-old has made 31 relief appearances this season but this will be just his second career start, his first since April 16, 2024.

--Field Level Media