Los Angeles Angels star Shohei Ohtani is slated as the American League's leadoff hitter for the 2022 MLB All-Star Game. However, Angels fans received disappointing news from AL manager Dusty Baker on Monday, per Ben Verlander.

“The information we received from Shohei Ohtani’s camp is that he wouldn’t start. That’s why we chose Shane (McClanahan).”

Shane McClanahan has been brilliant and deserved the starting decision regardless of Shohei Ohtani's status. But Ohtani reportedly expressed that he would prefer not to pitch at all in the 2022 MLB All-Star game, per Bob Nightengale.

This news comes on the heels of the Angels placing Mike Trout on the IL.

After a strong start to the season, the Halos have faltered in a major way. They currently sit near the bottom of the AL West and are projected to be sellers ahead of the trade deadline. Being able to watch Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani in the All-Star game would have lessened the pain for Angels fans this year. But Trout is injured and Ohtani will be limited to hitting.

With that being said, Shohei Ohtani is an incredible hitter. Fans will still be excited to watch him do his thing at the plate. But the spectacle of the two-way player in front of a national audience is always intriguing.

Nonetheless, this AL team is in good hands with Shane McClanahan on the mound. McClanahan is set to square off against Clayton Kershaw on Tuesday in the 2022 MLB All-Star Game in what promises to be an entertaining affair.