Angels' Joe Maddon Says Shohei Ohtani Will Hit, Pitch in 2021 MLB All-Star Game

Los Angeles Angels star Shohei Ohtani is the biggest name this year at the 2021 MLB All-Star Game, and the 27-year-old is making history for the mid-summer classic.

Ohtani became the first player in history to be voted into the game as both a position player and a pitcher.

Monday, things got even more interesting as Angels manager Joe Maddon confirmed that Ohtani is going to both hit and pitch in the game.

"The conclusion is that he will pitch, but how it's going to happen has not been concluded," Maddon said.

"There's different ways to do it, obviously. He could start the game or come in game-in-progress. And how often do you hit him?

"And don't forget he'll be in the Home Run Derby the day before. There's a lot going on there. But Shohei is into it. It's not like we're trying to push him into doing anything. We're just trying to figure out the best way to do it."

The international star was voted in as the designated hitter for the American League's starting lineup.

Major League Baseball has no rules for a player both pitching and hitting, and there's never been a situation where a player leaves the game and returns at another position.













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Matt has been a part of the Cleveland Sports landscape working in the media since 1994 when he graduated from broadcasting school. His coverage beats include the Cleveland Indians, Cleveland Browns and Cleveland Cavaliers. He's written three books, and won the "2020 AP Sports Stringer Lifetime Service Award."