CONFIRMED: Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani won’t participate in Home Run Derby For two reasons

Ohtani, who is second in MLB with 27 homers, is in the middle of rehab from the elbow surgery that is keeping him from pitching this season.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts says it’s not Ohtani’s responsibility alone to the carry the sport.

Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani tosses his bat after hitting a go-ahead two-run home run during the seventh inning of their game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

LOS ANGELES — Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani won’t participate in the Home Run Derby on July 15 despite the Japanese superstar ranking second in the majors with 27 homers.

Ohtani has taken part in the Derby just once, exiting in the first round in 2021 at Coors Field in Denver. This year’s event is at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.

“I’m in the middle of my rehab progression, so it’s not going to look like I’ll be participating,” he said through a translator on Tuesday night.

Ohtani is only hitting, not pitching, this season as he recovers from an injured elbow ligament. He had a procedure in September before agreeing to a $700 million, 10-year deal with the Dodgers in December.

“He signed up here to help us win a championship and nothing should get in the way of that,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.

“In any other normal situation where he wasn’t rehabbing, I think he would love to participate. I know that it’s weighed heavy on him, but I do think the rehab process is something that ultimately makes him feel better about bowing out,” Roberts said.

Ohtani blasted a two-run shot that traveled 433 feet to right-center in the seventh inning of the Dodgers’ 6-5 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday night. He is second to New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge, who has a major league-leading 32 homers this season.

Ohtani went 3 for 5 with two runs and two RBIs against the D-backs. He’s hitting .380 in the leadoff spot since Mookie Betts broke his hand on June 16.

Roberts said it was more a case of the Derby interfering with Ohtani’s rehab than a concern about him getting hurt.

“When you’re playing every day alongside the rehab it’s very regimented, so when you have an outlier situation as far as a Home Run Derby, that’s something that no one is prepared for,” he said. “It would just be a real disappointment for not only Shohei, the Dodgers and also the fans if something were to happen during something like that, which is an exhibition essentially.”

In the 2021 Derby, Ohtani set a record for the most homers of at least 500 feet with six. He was the first player to be selected as an All-Star as both a position player and a pitcher, doing so in 2021 and 2022 while with the Angels.

“It’s just not his responsibility alone to carry the game of baseball,” Roberts said. “He does it on a daily basis.”

Related Posts

Julianne Hough has shocked Kelly Clarkson after sharing her ex-Ryan Seacrest’s other business ventures in a new interview.

Ryan Seacrest’s ex Julianne Hough shocks Kelly Clarkson as she reveals American Idol star’s luxury side-hustles JULIANNE Hough has shocked Kelly Clarkson after sharing her ex-Ryan Seacrest’s…

“Is Ryan Seacrest’s Time on ‘Wheel of Fortune’ Already Ticking Away?”

‘Wheel Of Fortune’ Why Fans Say Ryan Seacrest’s Days Are Numbered New Wheel Of Fortune host Ryan Seacrest has been under an incredible amount of scrutiny since he took…

Secrets revealed about American Idol’s Ryan Seacrest’s famous ex-girlfriend

American Idol’s Ryan Seacrest’s famous ex-girlfriends revealed The Live with Kelly and Ryan star has an impressive dating historyAmerican Idol host Ryan Seacrest, 47, is happily loved-up with his girlfriend,…

‘Jeopardy!’ Has Tournament of Champions Problem After Champ’s Shock Exit

‘Jeopardy!’ Has Tournament of Champions Problem After Champ’s Shock Exit ABC[Warning: The below contains MAJOR spoilers for the Thursday, December 5 episode of Jeopardy!]Jeopardy! fans expected, if not assumed,…

Jeopardy! contestant doesn’t remember being on show as it was a ‘blur day’

A Jeopardy! contestant was hoping to watch the show to remember what happened. Mike Ross and Evan Jones faced the one-day champion Susan Beachy, who was then…

The New Jeopardy! Host Announcement *No One* Saw Coming…

The New Jeopardy! Host Announcement *No One* Saw Coming… All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Soaps.com may receive a commission on orders…