What happened: Ohtani was scratched Friday, July 10, from his scheduled mound start against the Arizona Diamondbacks because of left knee inflammation, just two days after being cleared for the Friday start. The Dodgers announced he will also skip the All-Star Game and festivities in Philadelphia, though he remains the club's designated hitter against Arizona this weekend. Cristopher Sanchez is now set to start for the National League, with Kyle Schwarber taking over as starting DH.
Why it matters: The absence removes Aaron Judge and Ohtani, the reigning MVPs and the game's leading vote-getters, from the National League lineup and interrupts Ohtani's push for a first career Cy Young award. He entered the scratch at 8-2 with a 1.79 ERA this season.
By the numbers: Ohtani: 8-2, 1.79 ERA, 95 strikeouts in 85.2 innings pitched. At the plate: .290 average, 20 home runs, 56 RBI, .939 OPS. Schwarber, his DH replacement, leads MLB with 32 home runs.
What to watch: Ohtani is expected to stay in the Dodgers' lineup as DH through the weekend series against Arizona, with no timeline given for his return to the mound.