Why Shohei Ohtani Will Not Pitch in the MLB All-Star Game

Shortly after allowing back-to-back home runs for the first time in his professional career, Shohei Ohtani exited with an injury to the middle finger on his pitching hand.

The injury will keep him out of the All-Star game as a pitcher, but he will be able to serve as a designated hitter without issue, according to the Pro Baseball Docs.

Through a translator, Ohtani said the issue was similar to the one that caused him to exit his previous start. The 29-year-old left his June 27 start against the White Sox in the 7th inning because of a cracked fingernail on his middle finger.

Ohtani said he had an acrylic nail placed on his middle finger between starts, but it didn’t fully heal and began to act up in the 6th inning – when he allowed the back-to-back home runs Tuesday.

The Pro Baseball Docs do not expect his fingernail/blister to be an issue coming out of the All-Star break.

Los Angeles Angels Injury Report

Anthony Rendon - SIC score 62

The veteran third baseman suffered a left leg tibial contusion on a foul ball Tuesday. The Pro Baseball Docs do not expect him to miss much time, but the team may place him on the 10-day IL for the extra roster spot prior to the All-Star break.

Expect Eduardo Escobar to fill in at third base until Rendon is back, which should be shortly after the break.

Mike Trout - SIC score 37

Trout will miss at least a month with a fractured hook of the hamate bone in his left hand. The injury is not season-ending and has a reliable recovery, but the Angels will have to find another solution in center field for the time being. Former No. 1 overall pick Mickey Moniak may get the first shot at that job, as he’s hitting .305 with 9 home runs in 35 games this season.

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