Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani departed Friday night's game against the San Diego Padres in the seventh inning due to a right biceps issue, significantly decreasing the likelihood of his participation as a pitcher in the upcoming All-Star Game. The Dodgers have adjusted his schedule in response to the discomfort.

Ohtani was hitless in three at-bats before being removed from the game as a precautionary measure. On the mound, he allowed three runs and seven hits over six innings, striking out nine batters and throwing a season-high 110 pitches. The Dodgers ultimately won the game 4-3.

"It's the same location that I felt a couple months ago," Ohtani said through a translator. "It went away pretty relatively quickly, so I expect that to happen again." He indicated he felt the biceps issue during his at-bat in the sixth inning.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts stated that Ohtani would have Saturday off to rest and receive treatment. Roberts described Ohtani as a "quick healer" and noted that a previous biceps issue was "so benign that I didn't hear about it until tonight."

Ohtani's pitching schedule had already been modified, with his starts moved from Wednesdays to Fridays to manage his workload. Roberts suggested that Ohtani skipping his final scheduled start before the All-Star break is a possibility.

"I haven't formally said it, but if you just kind of do the math, it would be hard to imagine. But I don't have to make that decision quite yet," Roberts commented when asked about Ohtani's All-Star pitching prospects.

Ohtani is already a guaranteed starter in the All-Star Game as the designated hitter for the National League, having led fan voting. However, his recent performance has shown signs of wear. "Shohei hasn't had his best stuff recently and that's the truth," Roberts said. "The fastball command hasn't been what it was earlier in the season, the sweeper hasn't been the same."

In addition to the biceps issue, Ohtani has also been managing left knee soreness and a blister on the middle finger of his right hand. Roberts had previously expressed optimism about Ohtani's knee, stating it felt "as good as it's felt in quite some time."

Roberts is slated to manage the National League All-Stars in Philadelphia.