Shohei Ohtani, once again, became one of the biggest stories in MLB at the All-Star break.

The Los Angeles Dodgers announced last Friday that the two-way superstar would miss the All-Star Game because of an ongoing issue with his left knee.

Given Ohtani’s importance both as a designated hitter and a starting pitcher, the decision was hardly surprising.

The Dodgers have made a massive investment in their franchise player.

Protecting him for the stretch run remains the organization’s top priority.

Los Angeles plans to reevaluate how it uses Ohtani after the All-Star break.

The primary objective is making sure he is healthy when October arrives as the Dodgers pursue a third consecutive World Series.

The latest setback is not the first involving Ohtani’s left knee.

Back in 2019, while playing for the Los Angeles Angels, he underwent season-ending surgery to repair bipartite patella. That’s a rare congenital condition in which the two bones of the kneecap failed to fuse together.

When reporters asked whether his current discomfort, which has been more noticeable while pitching than hitting, could be related to that surgery, Ohtani acknowledged the possibility.

He said there could be a connection.

"I wonder," Ohtani said according to the New York Post.

Despite sitting out the All-Star Game, Ohtani continued serving as the Dodgers’ designated hitter through the weekend.

He is still expected to return to the mound after the All-Star break concludes Friday, when Los Angeles opens a three-game series against the New York Yankees on the road.

The National League MVP favorite also finished the first half on a high note.

He went 4-for-11 with two home runs and two RBIs during the three-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks last weekend.

Ohtani also addressed his decision to miss the Midsummer Classic.

He said he felt bad for the fans who voted him into the game because he knew they wanted to see him play.

“I feel bad for the fans who voted for me,” Ohtani said. “I think they voted for me because they wanted to see me play and I feel bad that I can’t. I regret that I have to drop out after being voted in.”

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts supported the decision. Roberts emphasized that both the player and the organization have always viewed October as the ultimate goal.

“I think that No. 1, he’s always said, we’ve always said, the goal is October, for all of our players,” Roberts said. “With that, yeah, he’s had the Cy Young in mind, and understandably so. But nothing is going to come in front of being healthy for October.”

He also explained that while individual accomplishments remain meaningful, nothing takes priority over Ohtani being healthy for the postseason.

“And so for him to concede and miss a start in the best interest of him and the team, that’s not a surprise. Those are two separate things, but No. 1 is being ready for October, and he’s always said that.”

That mindset made skipping both the All-Star Game and a scheduled regular season start the logical decision.

Ohtani is slashing .293/.403/.549 with 22 home runs and 58 RBIs in 88 games. He also holds a career-low 1.79 ERA and 0.95 WHIP with an 8-2 record in 85.2 innings over 14 starts with 95 strikeouts.

Ohtani continues to separate himself from every other player in MLB because of his ability to excel on both sides of the game.

His work ethic, preparation, and attention to detail have allowed him to perform at an elite level while handling responsibilities that few players have ever attempted.

He constantly looks for ways to improve, whether refining his mechanics, studying opposing hitters, or making adjustments at the plate.

That relentless pursuit of improvement has become one of his defining characteristics.

Ohtani also embraces pressure rather than avoiding it. He consistently delivers in meaningful moments and never allows outside expectations to change his approach. Those qualities have made Ohtani one of MLB’s premier talents.

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