Shohei Ohtani won't take part in All-Star Home Run Derby
Shohei Ohtani, currently leading the National League in home runs, will not be showing off his prodigious power at this year's All-Star Home Run Derby.
Ohtani cited his recovery from offseason elbow surgery as the primary reason he wouldn't be able to participate. The Japanese slugger has only taken part in the Derby once – in 2021 at Coors Field in Denver, where he set a record with six home runs topping 500 feet.
In his first season with the Los Angeles Dodgers after signing a 10-year, $700 million free agent contract, the two-way star has focused on hitting while he continues a regimented rehabilitation schedule for his injured pitching elbow.
The results are everything the Dodgers could have anticipated. Ohtani leads the NL in home runs (27), batting average (.320) and runs scored (69), while also stealing 16 bases. His 1.048 on-base plus slugging percentage is also tops in the NL and ranks second in the majors to Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees.
"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."
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