MLB All-Star Game: Shohei Ohtani named American League’s starting pitcher and leadoff hitter

Angels pitcher Shohei Ohtani will bat leadoff for the American League, and will also take the mound as the starting pitcher at this year’s All-Star game. Ohtani also became the first Japanese player to participate in the Home Run Derby on Monday night, and becomes the first player in MLB history to be named an All-Star as both a position player and a pitcher. The DH rule will be changed for the first time specifically to suit Ohtani, who is listed in the lineup as a designated hitter.

Typically under MLB rules, if the DH plays in the field, the team forfeits the right to use a DH and the pitcher is slotted into that spot in the lineup. But with Ohtani also pitching, the rule will be tailored to allow Ohtani to be removed from the game as a pitcher and continue as a DH.

Ohtani said through an interpreter: “It’s my first time so I just want to enjoy everything…I’m looking forward to taking it all in and enjoying everything.” Ohtani leads baseball with 33 home runs, an MLB record for a Japanese-born player.