On the Dodgers’ return to the Bronx: www.nytimes.com/athletic/745...

Dave Roberts said the Dodgers are giving Will Smith a week of no activity to hope that it calms down Smith’s neck. FWIW, Smith hasn’t reported any discomfort this week. Still no timeline for him, but August would be the earliest the Dodgers could see him back.

Dave Roberts said Shohei Ohtani wound up getting a “lubricant” injected to his knee, rather than have it drained before the All-Star break. The “expectation” is he pitches Wednesday in Philadelphia.

Shohei Ohtani is in the Dodgers' lineup to open the second half.

It’ll be Roki Sasaki, Emmet Sheehan and Yoshinobu Yamamoto pitching for the Dodgers coming out of the break. TBD on when Shohei Ohtani will pitch.

MLB just announced the 2027 schedule. The Dodgers are scheduled to open the year at home on March 25 against the Braves.

The Dodgers entered the All-Star break with the best record and run differential in the sport. Their lead in the NL West already spans double digits. So what is there to watch for in the second half? Here are a few things: www.nytimes.com/athletic/744...

New Dodgers draftee Bo Lowrance: “I try to model myself after Freddie Freeman.”

Fresh arm for the Dodgers: Landon Knack is active after starting the year on the IL. Kyle Hurt optioned. Charlie Barnes DFA.

The Dodgers used their first pick of the day, No. 40, on high school SS Bo Lowrance.

Both Ebel brothers have also trained with Brewers second baseman Bruce Turang — who played for Team USA in the WBC with Dino Ebel on staff.

How about this: The Brewers took Trey Ebel a year after taking Brady Ebel. Both are sons of Dodgers third base coach Dino Ebel.

Justin Wrobleski, All-Star: www.nytimes.com/athletic/743...

Justin Wrobleski was just added to the NL All-Star roster.

“Although I could’ve started today, it would’ve still been pushing the envelope a little bit,” Shohei Ohtani said through interpreter Will Ireton. www.nytimes.com/athletic/743...

“With where we’re at, who he is as a player, if there’s opportunities to be extra cautious and mindful, it’s just prudent." The Dodgers skipped Shohei Ohtani's pitching start because all that matters is him being healthy in October. Then he homered: www.nytimes.com/athletic/743...

Kiké Hernández said he expects to be active during the Dodgers’ first homestand of the second half, if all continues to go well with his rehab.

Dave Roberts said Shohei Ohtani would be pitching today if it were a postseason game. The plan is to have him DH and be available to pitch coming out of the All-Star break.

The “interventions” on Shohei Ohtani’s knee will be draining the left knee and then and then likely an injection, a source said.

Dodgers will go bullpen game tonight.

Shohei Ohtani won’t pitch tonight and won’t play in the All-Star Game due to “continued irritation in his left knee.”

Dodgers statement: “As was the case one year ago, the Dodgers’ upcoming visits to the White House and Capitol Hill follow the longtime tradition of visits by other World Series champions. We appreciate these tributes in recognition of our back-to-back championships.”

“It’s frustrating to not get that nod,” Justin Wrobleski said of not being named an All-Star. Then he went out and proved his case again: www.nytimes.com/athletic/743...

Bring Katie Woo and I your Dodgers trade deadline questions here: www.nytimes.com/athletic/742...

Dave Roberts said everything is on track for Shohei Ohtani to pitch on Friday. Not official, but Roberts said he doesn’t see Ohtani pitching in the All-Star Game or doing the Home Run Derby.

The Dodgers also added Carlos Duran to their 40-man roster. Chuckie Robinson was DFA. Duran will remain in Triple A.

Evan Phillips is back. Paul Gervase was optioned. Jake Eder was released to open a 40-man spot.

Max Muncy nearly retired nine years ago when the Athletics designated him for assignment. He's continued to navigate mental hurdles since. Which is part of what drew Max Muncy to Brent Walker, who the Dodgers hired after 2020: www.nytimes.com/athletic/742...

Max Muncy is an All-Star again for the first time in half a decade, after years of injuries and other hurdles. On Muncy’s growth, fueled by the mental skills coach in Brent Walker who he’s credited with saving his career: www.nytimes.com/athletic/742...

Miguel Rojas has considered Eliézer Alfonso Sr. an idol, and said the passing of his wife and daughter were like losing a family member himself. "I think I've been in shock the last 10 days," Rojas said after earthquakes rocked his native Venezuela. More from Rojas:

Edwin Díaz said he hasn't heard from MLB after the USA Today report earlier this year linking him to cockfighing in PR: "I wasn't doing nothing illegal. So they didn't reach to me. But at the end of the day, I'm looking to help this team to win."

Dave Roberts said the Dodgers are being cautious after Tommy Edman got hit in the foot/ankle area last night against Mason Miller.

Tommy Edman was scratched from the Dodgers lineup.

Edwin Díaz said he’s hoping to go out on a rehab assignment soon after facing hitters for the first time today. Said he didn’t ask for a number but said the velocity was “good” and everything has gone smoothly through the rehab process. Hoping to be back sometime post-ASB.

On the rehabbing front, Blake Snell is about to throw a bullpen session and Edwin Díaz is set to face hitters for the first time since his procedure to remove loose bodies from his right elbow.

Shohei Ohtani is back in the Dodgers lineup.

Dave Roberts said Shohei Ohtani did not do baseball activities today and wouldn’t have been available. Roberts said he expects Ohtani in the lineup tomorrow.

Andy Pages said he tried sending a message to his family in Cuba that he made his first All-Star team, but it hasn't delivered yet. His wife, Alondra, broke the news to him. "I'm going to feel very proud to give that satisfaction to them with that happiness," he said in Spanish.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto was also named an All-Star.

The Dodgers’ All-Star starters: Shohei Ohtani (DH) Freddie Freeman (1B) Max Muncy (3B) Andy Pages (OF) Max Muncy is the first Dodgers starter at 3B since Ron Cey in 1977.

Evan Phillips will be activated tomorrow, Dave Roberts said.

Dave Roberts said Shohei Ohtani feels “considerably better today,” and he’s “hopeful” Ohtani will be in the lineup tomorrow.

Evan Phillips’ 30-day rehab clock is up. And as expected, he is in the Dodgers clubhouse.

Shohei Ohtani felt something in his biceps, which prompted him to exit a one-run game. The Dodgers will have to continue to manage Ohtani's two-way play. In 2026 (so far): 717 PAs + batters faced as a pitcher In a partial two-way 2025: 915 PAs + BFs www.nytimes.com/athletic/742...

Shohei Ohtani won’t be in the lineup tomorrow, Dave Roberts said.

Shohei Ohtani said he left tonight’s game after feeling something in his right biceps during his last at-bat. Only felt it swinging. Called it precautionary. Ohtani said he felt this two months ago, and it went away rather quickly that time.

Kiké Hernández is hitting on the field right now. Notable sign as he rehabs his oblique strain.

Will Smith hit in the cage yesterday and has started a throwing progression, Dave Roberts said.

There was a level of inevitability as the Dodgers chipped away at a 6-0 deficit. “That was the beautiful thing about it,” Mookie Betts said. The Dodgers’ lead is 13 games. The NL West isn’t over, but that 12-7 win sure made it feel like it is. www.nytimes.com/athletic/741...

Dave Roberts said the Dodgers will do a "deep dive" on Roki Sasaki, including trying to rule out pitch-tipping after seeing the Padres were "on everything." Sasaki will still make his next turn through the rotation, Roberts said.