Shohei Ohtani, the Japanese baseball superstar, has decided not to participate in the Home Run Derby on July 15. Despite being the second-highest home run hitter in the majors with 27 homers for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Ohtani cited his ongoing rehab progression as the reason for his decision.
Ohtani had previously participated in the Derby only once, in 2021 at Coors Field in Denver, where he was eliminated in the first round. This year, the event is scheduled to take place at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.
Speaking through a translator, Ohtani explained, “I’m in the middle of my rehab progression, so it’s not going to look like I’ll be participating.” This season, Ohtani is focusing solely on hitting as he recovers from an injured elbow ligament, which required a procedure in September. He signed a $700 million, 10-year deal with the Dodgers in December with the goal of helping the team win a championship.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts expressed his support for Ohtani’s decision, emphasizing the importance of the rehab process. Roberts stated, “He signed up here to help us win a championship and nothing should get in the way of that.” He added, “In any other normal situation where he wasn’t rehabbing, I think he would love to participate.”
During Tuesday night’s game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Ohtani showcased his hitting prowess by hitting a two-run home run that traveled 433 feet. He went 3 for 5 with two runs and two RBIs in the game, maintaining a batting average of .380 since taking over the leadoff spot in the lineup.
Roberts clarified that Ohtani’s decision was primarily influenced by the potential impact on his rehab rather than concerns about injury during the Derby. He highlighted the structured nature of Ohtani’s daily routine alongside his rehab, making the Home Run Derby an outlier situation that could disrupt his progress.
In the 2021 Derby, Ohtani set a record for the most homers of at least 500 feet with six. He also made history by being selected as an All-Star as both a position player and a pitcher in 2021 and 2022. Roberts praised Ohtani’s contributions to the game of baseball, stating, “It’s just not his responsibility alone to carry the game of baseball. He does it on a daily basis.”
Overall, Ohtani’s decision to skip the Home Run Derby reflects his commitment to his rehab and the Dodgers’ championship aspirations. While fans may miss seeing him showcase his power hitting skills in the Derby, Ohtani’s focus remains on returning to full strength and contributing to his team’s success on the field.