Dodgers Update: Latest on Shohei Ohtani, Will Smith and Dalton Rushing

Following the conclusion of the first phase of voting for the 2026 All-Star Game, it came as no surprise that Shohei Ohtani won the most number of votes from fans in the National League, with 3,341,257 votes.

Ohtani has been selected to participate in the All-Star Game for the sixth time in a row, and this is his third consecutive selection since joining the Dodgers. Ohtani will receive the start at designated hitter over Kyle Schwarber, who is a slugger for the Phillies. Ohtani has been one of the top hitters in the National League this year, slashing.295/.414/.549 with 17 home runs and 46 RBI in 73 games at the plate. Schwarber might be considered a slugger for the Phillies.

According to Sonja Chen of MLB.com, the decision about whether or not Ohtani will be voted in for both of his talents will be left up to either the Player Ballot or the Commissioner’s Office choosing. Ohtani was chosen for his two-way talents while he was playing for the Angels from 2021 to 2023.

A total of six additional Dodgers, including Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Teoscar Hernández, Max Muncy, Andy Pages, and Will Smith, have made it to the second round of fan voting.

Checking in on the catchers

Since the beginning of this month, Will Smith has been placed on the disabled list due to the fact that he has been experiencing neck stiffness.According to a tweet from David Vassegh of AM 570, Smith has not yet resumed his baseball duties, and he will be absent for the entirety of the Dodgers’ current road trip.

On the other hand, Dalton Rushing was reinstated to the starting lineup on Wednesday, after having to leave the game on Monday owing to worries about the possibility of sustaining a concussion. Rushing had a pitching performance of 0-4 with three strikeouts, had a lengthy visit to the mound with Shohei Ohtani, and was confided in by both Dave Roberts and Freddie Freeman while they were in the dugout.