New Delhi, July 13 -- PHILADELPHIA - The two players listed at the top of each league's designated hitter slot on the 2026 All-Star rosters represent different kinds of absence. Yordan Alvarez is in the lineup. Shohei Ohtani is not.

Ohtani was named to the National League roster as the Dodgers' designated hitter, but he will not play Tuesday night at Citizens Bank Park. Knee treatment has kept him out of All-Star Weekend entirely. Aaron Judge, who would have been the American League's most recognizable position player, is also unavailable, as is Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Together, the three form a void at the center of the 96th Midsummer Classic - a game that will proceed without the players whose names carry the most weight in the sport's f...