Phillies' Kyle Schwarber likely gets big All-Star news amid Shohei Ohtani injury update

The Philadelphia Phillies are playing host to Major League Baseball at Citizens Bank Park for the 2026 All-Star Game. The Home Run Derby and All-Star Game itself will take place at CBP on Monday, July 13, and Tuesday, July 14.

There are six All-Stars for the Phillies, with Cristopher Sanchez, Jesus Luzardo, Jhoan Duran, Brandon Marsh, Bryce Harper, and Kyle Schwarber being All-Stars this year. Schwarber and Harper are doing the Home Run Derby, Marsh is a starter, and Sanchez might start the game as well.

But now, after the report from Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic on Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani, whose now going to miss the All-Star Game due to a knee injury, Schwarber might end up starting the All-Star Game as well.

Why Shohei Ohtani's injury update likely has big Kyle Schwarber All-Star impact

"Shohei Ohtani won't pitch tonight and won't play in the All-Star Game due to 'continued irritation in his left knee,'" Ardaya reports after an announcement from the Dodgers.

This is obviously a huge announcement for the Dodgers and Ohtani, as while he's avoiding an IL stint (at least for now), the Dodgers superstar won't go to Philadelphia for the All-Star Game.

That has some big Phillies implications, as not only is Ohtani no longer an option to start the All-Star Game as a pitcher, opening the door further for Sanchez, but now he's also going to miss his chance to be the starting designated hitter.

With an open lineup spot at DH, it's obvious what should happen next: Kyle Schwarber should be the National League's starting DH during the 2026 MLB All-Star Game.

MORE: Phillies’ Cristopher Sanchez is planned NL All-Star starter

He earned plenty of fan votes and even led in the player vote for the DH spot, so there would be no one who has any gripe over Schwarber being the NL's starting DH.

Schwarber has 32 homers this season, and is hitting .254 with 58 RBIs and a .940 OPS, one of the best marks in Major League Baseball this season.

While it's not official just yet, naming Schwarber the NL's starting DH in place of Ohtani makes perfect sense.

There will be a new player making the All-Star team this year due to Ohtani no longer being a part of the roster, but Schwarber should be his starting replacement at DH.

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