The Midsummer Classic is almost here. The 2025 All-Star game will be the 95th edition that will bring together top players from all around the American League and National League. Now, as exciting as it gets, the Los Angeles Dodgers have been quietly making last-minute lineup moves that are eventually impacting the All-Star selection process. After all, there are some rules and regulations when it comes to pitchers who start for their team a day before the All-Star Game.

MLB’s rule suggests: “Initially, Sunday starters were deemed ineligible. Then, they were allowed to make the decision themselves (albeit limited to a single inning if they opted to play). Now, clubs or players are allowed to make requests for usage accommodation if there are factors (such as an IL stint, recent surgery, innings workload or other reasons) that would affect the pitcher’s availability. If an accommodation is granted, then the parties agree upon the pitcher’s status and workload availability.”

Considering this rule, it is surprising that Yoshinobu Yamamoto is scheduled to start for the Dodgers as they go against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on Sunday. At least, that’s what MLB insider Bill Plunkett shared on X. Plunkett also revealed the Dodgers’ final starting rotation against the Giants. “Rotation for SF will be Dustin May-Emmet Sheehan-Yamamoto.” This will be the rotation for the final three consecutive games before the All-Star break.

So that means that Yamamoto might not be a part of the NL team’s pitching staff this time. For the record, it was supposed to be the Japanese phenom’s first time in his MLB career to be picked for the All-Star game. But when he used to play for NPB, he was chosen multiple times for the All-Star.

What’s interesting here is that just a week ago, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts admitted, “So absolutely he’s [Yamamoto] one of the top whatever pitchers that need to be on an All-Star roster. For sure.” Despite that, it’s odd enough that the team decided to line him up for Sunday’s game.

Many even expected Shohei Ohtani in the starting rotation. Well, there is a possibility that the Dodgers will add Ohtani later. If they do so, then it’s highly likely that Sheehan will be the one who will get replaced. They also have Clayton Kershaw on the NL roster. This 95th edition happens to be his 11th participation in the event. However, these last-minute changeups don’t just affect the Dodgers, but they also influence the All-Star Game’s overall selections. Still, why exactly did the Dodgers do so?

Dodgers battling injuries once again

Throughout the 2025 season, the Dodgers have been bitten brutally by the injury bug. Even now, as of today, they have 12 pitchers on the injured list. So far, they have navigated through this by rotating bullpen games. They have time and again called up players from the minor league, but now the injury bug has bitten their core—the position players.

Recently, the Dodgers lost Max Muncy for nearly six weeks. After Muncy collided at third base last week, he hurt his left knee. Just as this happened, the team speculated that it was a ligament tear. Well, the Dodgers were relieved later when the X-rays didn’t display any major damage. It was just a bone bruise. Still, with his six-week absence, what will the Dodgers do to navigate through?

To fill in the gap, the Dodgers have Miguel Rojas, Tommy Edman, and Enrique Hernández as potential options. But let’s not forget that Hernández himself is fighting elbow soreness. His swing has been getting affected for a while now. So, he might not be a reliable option. Against the Astros this weekend, his pain even worsened. The only option suited for him now might be to take a stint on the injured list. Then there’s Tommy Edman. He was supposed to take over the third and now has a fracture in his pinky toe. So, again, the Dodgers can’t rely on him.

All of these combined setbacks have affected the Dodgers this weekend against the Astros. They were handed three straight losses. And now, it’s four, with their 9-1 loss in the series opener against the Brewers. So, risking any more of their players wouldn’t be a smart move. That’s probably why Yamamoto’s presence in the coming Sunday’s game is more necessary than in the All-Star Game. What do you think?

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