Shohei Ohtani's MLB ASG Status Updated By Dodgers' Dave Roberts After Pitching Schedule Adjusted

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts says it's unlikely Shohei Ohtani will be pitching in the 2026 MLB All-Star Game after starting Friday night's game against the San Diego Padres.

When asked if Ohtani's new Friday starting schedule ruled him out of being able to pitch in the upcoming Tuesday All-Star Game, Roberts answered: "I think so."

"I haven't formally said it, but if you just kind of do the math, it would be hard to imagine," Roberts told reporters Friday. "But I don't have to make that decision quite yet."

Taking a week between starts would set Ohtani on track to pitch again July 10. The All-Star Game is set to take place July 14 in Philadelphia.

Ohtani has already been named a starter at DH ahead of the All-Star Game, during which Roberts will manage the NL squad.

The complete All-Star rosters including pitching staffs will be announced Saturday in a 7:30 p.m. ET FOX broadcast.

Ohtani was originally scheduled to pitch Wednesday against the Athletics before the Dodgers pushed back his start to Friday in a move Roberts said was designed to give him extra rest.

"Certainly we did this methodically, giving him som extra time, and feel that we should reap the benefits today," Roberts said.

Roberts continued, "Shohei hasn't had his best stuff recently, and that's the truth. The fastball command hasn't been what it was earlier in the season. The sweeper hasn't been the same. Started using the split a little bit more recently where he was using it a lot more earlier in the season."

While the Dodgers hope that additional rest pays off with better control from Ohtani, Roberts will need to turn his attention to which pitcher should start for the NL during the Midsummer Classic.

Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Jacob Misiorowski is also on track to be out of the running for the honor due to a scheduled start two days before the All-Star Game.

One still-eligible candidate is the Philadelphia Phillies' Cristopher Sánchez, who could become the first Phillies player since Roy Halladay in 2011 to earn the honor.