Baseball: Ohtani to lead off for National League in All-Star Game
Ohtani launched a three-run bomb in the NL's 5-3 loss at Globe Life Field last year, becoming the only player with both a home run and a win on the mound, from 2021, on his All-Star Game resume.
The Los Angeles Dodgers' two-way superstar will focus solely on batting as the NL's DH in his fifth straight Midsummer Classic, as he has been gradually building up his pitching workload after elbow surgery in September 2023.
"I hope I can show a good swing at the plate," Ohtani told reporters following Monday's lineup announcement.
The current NL home run leader will make his first plate appearance against Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal, the American League's starting pitcher.
Ohtani, who topped the NL fan vote, is one of three Japanese All-Star selections, with Dodgers teammate Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Los Angeles Angels left-hander Yusei Kikuchi named as pitchers for the NL and AL, respectively.
Neither Yamamoto nor Kikuchi will play in the game, however, out of consideration for their pitching schedules.
Ohtani, now a month into his return to the mound, expressed his excitement at fully resuming two-way duties as a member of the Dodgers' rotation.
"Because a pitcher spends more time on the mound than a batter does at the plate, it involves more consequential situations in a game," Ohtani said. "If anything, I have more excitement when I'm on the mound."
The 31-year-old had been projected to resume pitching after the All-Star break, but he started throwing in live-game situations ahead of schedule in mid-June, gradually ramping up from single-inning outings to a stellar three-inning start at San Francisco on Saturday.
"At first, I thought I would be able to come back in the second half of the season, but because it was a good move for the team and my own rehab, I decided to return a little earlier and pitch shorter innings," Ohtani said. "If I can increase my volume a little in the second half of the season, I think I can do a decent job."
Having become a father in April, Ohtani said spending time with his baby daughter was his priority away from baseball.
"I usually give her a bath in the morning, and I take care of her after I return home," he said. "I'm happy just to come home and see her face. That alone takes away the fatigue of the day."
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