Ohtani breaks – Shohei Ohtani has been named the National League’s starting designated hitter for the 2026 All-Star Game after leading fan balloting in Phase 1—marking his sixth All-Star start at DH and breaking David Ortiz’s tie for the most in MLB All-Star history at the po
Shohei Ohtani didn’t wait for the second wave of voting to make his case. In Phase 1 fan balloting, the Dodgers star finished as the National League’s leading vote-getter, and the reward came fast: he was named the league’s starting designated hitter for the 2026 All-Star Game.
It’s not just another trip to Midsummer Classic weekend. The designation adds a line to the record book that belonged to David Ortiz—until now. Ohtani’s selection marks his sixth All-Star start at designated hitter. breaking the tie with Ortiz for the most starts at the position in All-Star Game history. Ortiz and Ohtani had each been level at five before this latest nod. and Ohtani’s win in the early voting pushes him into sole possession of the mark.
The way Ohtani got there is the kind of total-popularity finish that can’t be ignored. The 31-year-old earned the automatic starting bid that goes to each league’s top overall vote-getter after Phase 1, collecting 3,341,257 votes. It is also the first time he has been the top overall vote-getter. a notable first for a player who has spent years as one of the sport’s biggest draws.
That fan support now extends Ohtani’s streak to his sixth straight All-Star appearance. The Dodgers superstar is already the owner of four unanimous MVP awards, and the 2026 season is feeding the demand. At the plate. Ohtani has shaken off a slow start and is currently slashing .295/.414/.549 with a .963 OPS. while also pacing the team with 17 home runs. On the pitching side. he has been equally difficult to ignore. with a 1.58 ERA that ranks second among all pitchers with at least 50 innings. For baseball’s two-way star. this kind of stretch doesn’t just boost his case—it keeps him at the center of the sport.
Still, the DH selection doesn’t close the door on a pitching role. Ohtani could still earn a two-way nod through the player ballot or a Commissioner’s Office selection. meaning the All-Star roster picture isn’t entirely written just because he’s already locked in as the NL’s starting designated hitter.
The Midsummer Classic is set for July 14 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. And if Ohtani’s history-making early nod is one headline, it’s not the only one Los Angeles is chasing. Seven other Dodgers advanced to Phase 2 of voting. giving the club a chance to load the NL starting lineup behind their headliner as the process continues.
Shohei Ohtani Dodgers 2026 All-Star Game National League starting designated hitter fan balloting Phase 1 David Ortiz record Midsummer Classic Citizens Bank Park Philadelphia