The 2024 Home Run Derby at Globe Life Field is Monday, July 15, and will feature a new format and rules that include eliminating head-to-head matchups in the first round.
Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunner Henderson, who ranks second in home runs, is the only confirmed participant for the Derby thus far. However, Shohei Ohtani has expressed interest in participating in the event.
Ohtani is in the midst of a remarkable first season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, and leads or is near the top in several offensive categories. Ohtani’s 26 home runs are most in the National League and tied with Henderson for second overall.
New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge’s 31 home runs are most in the Majors this season.
Ohtani has only participated in the Home Run Derby once in his career, when he was eliminated by Juan Soto in the first round in 2021. Ohtani became the first pitcher to ever participate in the Derby.
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Will Dodgers let Shohei Ohtani do Home Run Derby?
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he is understanding of Ohtani wanting to participate in the Home Run Derby, but also expressed some hesitancy with the possibility.
Complicating whether or not Ohtani will participate in his second Home Run Derby is the ongoing recovery from last year’s Tommy John surgery. The operation is preventing the 29-year-old from pitching this year and has caused the Dodgers to be mindful of Ohtani’s overall workload.
He nevertheless has successfully expanded on a throwing program throughout the season and most recently stretched out to playing catch at 90 feet.
Even with some of the Dodgers’ hesitation, Roberts did say he would not explicitly block Ohtani from participating in the Home Run Derby. Outside of Joc Pederson, the Dodgers don’t have much success in the event, but Ohtani certainly would figure to begin changing that if he is to take part.
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